Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday said the state government is investing in world-class cultural infrastructure to strengthen Assam’s theatre movement and provide artists with modern platforms while preserving the region’s rich cultural legacy.
Speaking at the inauguration of the newly reconstructed Sivasagar Natya Mandir, the Chief Minister said the government is committed to creating high-quality cultural spaces that meet international standards and support creative expression across the state. He noted that theatre has long played a vital role in Assam’s social and intellectual life.
Sarma highlighted several major cultural institutions developed in recent years, including the Jyoti-Bishnu Antarjatik Kala Mandir in Guwahati, the Sri Sri Damodardev International Auditorium at Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra, the Sri Sri Badala Padma Ata Kalatirtha auditorium at Madhavdev Kalakshetra in Narayanpur, and a state-of-the-art 1,000-seat auditorium in Lakhimpur.
He said the construction of district-level town halls, cultural centres, and auditoriums is aimed at decentralising cultural activities and giving local theatre groups and young artists access to professional performance spaces closer to their communities.
The Chief Minister also stressed the importance of supporting artistes beyond infrastructure, stating that the government is working towards improving welfare measures to ensure sustainability of the theatre ecosystem.
The reopening of the Sivasagar Natya Mandir, a historic venue for theatre in upper Assam, marks another step in the state’s broader effort to revive and strengthen cultural institutions that have shaped Assam’s artistic traditions for decades.
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