Guwahati: The acting and music institution Gandharba, based in Boripara, Maligaon, will celebrate its 21st anniversary with the third edition of the Gandharba Drama Festival, a two-day event scheduled for December 5 and 6, 2025. The festival will take place at the Karmashree Hiteswar Saikia Auditorium, the organisers—President Gautam Kumar and Secretary Dhrubajyoti Kumar—announced.

The opening night will feature ‘Moi Aru Mur Saa’, a Gandharba production conceptualised by Dhrubajyoti Kumar, written by Binod Sharma and directed by Akhilesh Hazari. The play, a tribute to Dr. Bhupen Hazarika on his centenary, is scheduled to begin at 6:30 PM.

The second evening, dedicated to the late music icon Zubeen Garg, will showcase ‘Choku’, written and directed by Diganta Kakati and produced by Srishti Kala-Krishti Kendra, at 6:00 PM. This will be followed by ‘A Beautiful Melody’, written by Montu Kumar Das, directed by Ronald Hussain, and presented by Natatirtha, Guwahati, at 7:00 PM.

The festival will be inaugurated on December 5 by Hrishikesh Goswami, Secretary of the Children’s Literature Trust, Assam. On December 6, the second night’s proceedings will be opened by noted art and cultural personality Makbul Haque.

As part of the anniversary celebrations, the Jivan Silpi Guruji Adya Sarma Memorial Drawing Competition will be held on December 6 at 3:00 PM for students of Classes I to VI. The 15th All Assam Bhupendra Sangeet Competition is scheduled for December 7 from 10:00 AM, featuring two categories—Category A (below 15 years) and Category B (15 years and above). Participants must submit valid age-proof documents, and instrumental accompaniment will be provided by the organisers. Proper attire and discipline are mandatory, and the committee’s decision will be final.

The 21st anniversary celebrations will conclude on December 7 at 7:00 PM with a cultural programme and awards ceremony, where winners will receive cash prizes, trophies, and certificates.

—Prantik Deka