Bhaona is a presentation of the Ankiya Naat or one act play of Assam (ankia means óne' and naat means 'drama'). These plays have an orchestra comprising Gaayan (singers) and Baayans (instrumentalists). The orchestra is dressed in white while the actors wear glittering costumes to represent various kings, queens, demons and animals. The performers pass through an archway of lights, which is called Agni Garh.
Bhaona is traditionally performed in the namghars which are the prayer houses of the Assamese. There is a Sutradhar (narrator) who begins the play by narrating its story, interspersed with the orchestra playing. The performance begins in the morning with singing and dancing to the rhythm of drums, and with the troupe emerging from the Agni Garh or archway of lights opposite the shrine. After the distribution of sacred food or Prasad? to the musicians, the Sutradhar or narrator makes his entrance, and after paying his respects to the god, recites a verse from the play at hand and presents a song.