Posted on 8 July 2025:

Bala – A Musical Tribute to Birubala Rabha’s Voice of Courage in the Face of Shadows

On July 2nd, 2025, the stage at Sri Sri Madhabdev Auditorium in Guwahati came alive with rhythm and color as Darpan Dance Akademi, Guwahati  presented BALA, a heartfelt musical ballad. 

Supported by the Department of Cultural Affairs, Government of Assam, this mesmerizing performance honoured the late Birubala Rabha (1954–2024), Assam’s fearless reformer and Padma Shri awardee, who led a tireless fight against witch-hunting and harmful superstitions. Her life is a tale of bold defiance and deep compassion, told now through theatre that dances, sings and speaks in her spirit. 

With folk melodies, puppetry and poetry, Bala… a musical ballad becomes more than a stage—it becomes her heartbeat echoing through every artist, every audience.

Birubala Rabha — A Flame Against Darkness

Born in the quiet village of Thakurvila, Assam, Birubala Rabha rose from humble beginnings to become a fierce voice for women’s dignity. With only a class five education, she faced deep-rooted superstitions and injustice with rare courage. Birubala Rabha—fondly known as Bala—is not just a name, but a flame that continues to light minds across Assam. From the quiet corners of Goalpara, she rose as a fearless voice against dark superstitions, challenging the cruel branding of women as witches. With only a class five education, she faced deep-rooted superstitions and injustice with rare courage. After a personal encounter with superstition during her son’s illness, she rejected blind belief and chose the path of awareness. Starting with a small women’s group, she later founded Mission Birubala,  a people’s movement against witch hunting, turning her personal pain into purpose. Despite threats and accusations, she stood tall—rescuing over 35 women and spreading light where there was fear.

Through her initiative, Mission Birubala, she raised awareness across rural communities, fighting ignorance with compassion and truth. Her relentless efforts led to the Assam Witch Hunting Prohibition Act in 2015—a landmark in India’s legal and social history. Her voice earned her national praise, a Padma Shri in 2021, and even a Nobel Peace Prize nomination, supported by  many women’s rights organisations in the North-East. From village meetings to national honors, she stood as hope for the voiceless and proof that truth can move mountains. She was celebrated as a ‘Real Hero’ and named among the 1000 Women Peace Project worldwide. 

Bala – the musical ballad by Dr. Anjana Moyee Saikia, keeps her flame alive—honouring a woman who rose from silence to stir a nation’s conscience.

Crafted for Meaning — A Unique Fusion of Puppetry and Performance

In a moving blend of art and message, Dr. Anjana Moyee Saikia’s choreography brought life to puppets with graceful, distinct movements unlike traditional dance forms. Paired with Debajyoti Sarmah (Poem) and Manik Roy’s poetic script, powerful direction and the performances aimed not just to entertain, but to awaken. 

Each performer added a unique voice to the tapestry of movement and meaning: Dr. Anjana Moyee Saikia, Abhijit Chutia, Kaushik Kishore Hazarika, Karnika Phukon, Tanmoyee Borah, Bandita Deka, Deekshita Das, Tamasha Sahariya, Sunita Boro,Bhagyashree Mazumdar, Mriganga Raj Roy, Evan Saikia, Param Das and Firdoss Amin Choudhury.  

With powerful presence and poetic grace, the cast breathed life into each moment, making BALA more than a performance—it became a celebration of identity, artistry and community. Together with a talented ensemble, they created a heartfelt experience that touched minds and stirred hearts.

Bala — A Song That Awakens

Bala is more than a performance—it is a reminder that awareness and education are powerful tools to break fear and ignorance.

The soulful music, shaped by Mandeep Mahanta and Luit Konwar Rudra Barua, with arrangements by Rupjyoti Konwar and Jaynath Deka, carries the emotion of the story.

With heartfelt vocals from Panchuna Rabha, Bhiolina Boro and Mandeep Mahanta, each note echoes Birubala Rabha’s message of hope, strength and change.

Bala — Where Every Art Came Alive

From graceful choreography and poetic lyrics to glowing lights and vivid costumes, Bala was a harmony of many gifted hands. The magic on stage was enhanced by Tapan Kumar Baruah’s lighting, Minati Deka’s makeup artistry and Arif Uddin Ahmed (Vicky) who designed the stage properties. 

The emotion of the night was beautifully captured through the lens of photographer Nilakshi Neog. 

Birubala’s Story Deserves Every Voice

Recently, renowned music and dance critic Manjari Sinha praised Bala for bringing Birubala Rabha’s inspiring life to the stage with such power. She gently suggested that sharing a summary in English or Hindi would help this meaningful work reach hearts across India, beyond the Assamese-speaking audience.

It’s a reminder that stories like Birubala’s deserve to be heard—everywhere, by everyone.

Honouring the Torchbearers of Birubala’s Legacy

During the celebration of the musical ballad – BALA, the presence of Birubala Rabha’s children—Bishnu Prasad Rabha and Kumoli Rabha—brought quiet strength to the evening. Alongside Mamoni Saikia, her close associate in the movement, their tribute reminded that her spirit lives on not only in memory, but in those who walked beside her.

Each was honoured with gratitude, as bearers of her light and lifelong companions in the fight for truth.

Darpan — Where Heritage Finds New Wings

Founded and guided by Dr. Anjana Moyee Saikia, Darpan is more than a cultural academy—it is a space where tradition breathes with fresh life. Trained under revered masters like Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra and Protima Gauri, Dr. Saikia blends classical dance, theatre and folk forms into a vibrant tapestry of expression. 

Driven by her deep love for theatre, Dr. Anjana Moyee Saikia has brought powerful characters to life in celebrated productions like Chitralekha, Purush, Jerengar Sati, Nisanga Nayak, Mouse Trap, Chitrangada, Shyama, Sonitjotika, Suparnakha, BALA and more, earning acclaim on stages across India and abroad.

Through Darpan, she shares an artistic vision that honors the past while reaching boldly toward the future.

Renowned Artists Dr. Anjana Moyee Saikia, Debajyoti Sarmah and Manik Roy shaped its soul, while others brought light, texture and memory to every scene.

Through each thoughtful detail and heartfelt effort, Bala became more than a performance—it became a living tribute to courage, creativity and collective spirit.