Phani Sarma

Phani Sarma, born in the year 1910, was a theatrical actor, dramatist, film actor, and director from India. He started his career as a theatre performer and starred in the first Assamese film ‘Joymati’ in 1935. Sarma was given the title "Natasurya" for his contributions to Assamese theatre. In 1948, he starred in and directed ‘Siraj .’ In 1955, he directed ‘Piyoli Phukan.’ In 1933, Sarma made his debut in ‘Joymati,’ the Assamese movie directed by Jyoti Prasad Agarwala Jyoti Prasad Agarwala was a renowned Indian playwr >> Read More... . Sarma starred in Agarwalla's second film, ‘Indramalati’; later in 1955, he directed and acted in the film ‘Piyoli Phukan’, in which he also played the film's protagonist, Pioli Phukan. He created the play “Kiya” as his personal experiences inspired him as an actor and following the death of his son while on stage. The play tells the story of an artist who entertains others while receiving minimal remuneration from society.

In his subsequent work, ‘Nag-Pas,’ Sarma tackled problems of isolation and corruption once more. However, he frequently integrated humor into such pieces, and in the production ‘Kola-Bazar,’ he combined aspects of comedy with more serious concerns of social injustice and inequality. Sarma has also translated J. B. Priestley's well-known play “An Inspector Calls” into Assamese.