Aabaha honors playwright Sudipta Bhawmik at annual festival

The event was inaugurated by Nishi Arora, Consul at the Indian Consulate in Atlanta.

Sudipta Bhawmik / Facebook

Acclaimed playwright and director Sudipta Bhawmik was honored with the Aabaha Samman Award by Aabaha Inc., during its Art and Theater Festival (AATF) 2025 which took place at the Eagle Theatre in Sugar Hill from Aug. 22-24.

The award, which recognized Bhawmik for his contributions to theater, was presented by Sugar Hill Mayor Brandon Hembree, who praised the festival’s role in fostering cultural connections.

Also read: Aabaha receives Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta grant

"I congratulate Sudipta Bhawmik on receiving the Aabaha Samman Award and commend Aabaha for organizing this remarkable festival. By bringing together diverse cultures and artistic expressions, Aabaha enriches the city of Sugar Hill and strengthens the bonds of our community,” Hembree said.

Sugar Hill Mayor Brandon Hembree graced the event as chief guest / Aabaha/ Facebook

Georgia-based groups Aabaha, Dhoop Chaoon Hindi Group, and PACA, as well as guest troupes from New Jersey, Texas, Massachusetts, and Illinois, presented performances in English, Hindi, and Bengali during the festival. The performances spanning traditional, contemporary, and experimental theater explored themes of migration, identity, justice, and cultural belonging.

Beyond theater, AATF 2025 showcased curated art exhibits featuring community painters, sculptors, and artisans. A poster show honored Indian theater legends Badal Sarkar, Tripti Mitra, and Mohan Rakesh, while the unveiling of Kancha Kobitar Boi, a collection of Bengali poetry by Ankan Basu, added a literary dimension.

A panel discussion titled “Does Indian Theater in the US serve the interests of the community it caters to?” sparked dialogue among artists, leaders, and audiences.

“Our vision with AATF is to create an immersive space where stories from diverse traditions find resonance with contemporary lives. By blending traditional, contemporary, and experimental theater with community art, literature, and dialogue, we aim to nurture an inclusive and globally conscious cultural landscape in Georgia,” said Kallol Nandi, founder and artistic director of Aabaha Inc.

The festival reaffirmed Aabaha’s role in shaping Georgia’s cultural landscape by promoting inclusivity, cross-cultural engagement, and artistic collaboration.

Comments

This is a Premium Article, available exclusively to our subscribers.

Read 500+ such News or articles every month by subscribing today!
Monthly

Free

Limited Access

Limited View

Free weekly E-Paper

Subscribe Now
Monthly

$10

Full Access

Unlimited View

Free weekly E-Paper

Free daily newsletter

Subscribe Now
Annual

$50

Full Access

Unlimited View

Free weekly E-Paper

Free daily newsletter

Subscribe Now
Start the conversation

Become a member of New India Abroad to start commenting.

Sign Up Now

Already have an account? Login