The Madhabdev Award, an honor instituted by the Government of Assam, was recently awarded to dance historian Dr. Sunil Kothari for his significant contributions in popularising Sattriya dance. Sattriya is a classical Indian dance form originating from Assam and carries unique characteristics that set it apart from other Indian classical dances.
Origins of Sattriya
Sattriya dance originated in the 15th century within the monastic institution known as “Sattra”. This institution was a part of the neo-Vaishnavite movement initiated by Srimanta Sankardev in Assam. The chief tenet promoted by this movement was “ek sharan naama dharma”, which translated to the devoted chanting of one God’s name.
Recognition as a Classical Dance
In the year 2000, the Sangeet Natak Akademi officially recognised Sattriya as a classical dance form. This recognition added Sattriya to the existing list of classical dances of India, which include Bharatnatyam from Tamil Nadu, Kathakali and Mohiniyattam from Kerala, Kuchipudi from Andhra Pradesh, Kathak from North India, Manipuri from Manipur, and Odissi from Odisha.
Unique Features of Sattriya Dance
Sattriya dance comes with its unique set of features which make it a standout among other classical dances. The basic stance differs based on gender: “Purush Pak” for males and “Prakriti Pak” for females. The dance themes are based mainly on mythology and have specific mnemonic bols. Music plays a vital role with a typical Assamese music known as Borgeet accompanied by various musical instruments like large cymbals and drums. The costume is colourful and the dance features complicated choreographic patterns with various talas for each stanza sung by the vocalist.
The Corpus of Sattriya Dances
The repertoire of Sattriya dances includes ankiya bhaona dances and Ojapali dances. The main singer in these dances takes on the role of a storyteller, enacting abhinaya, while a group of backup dancers accompany them by playing small cymbals.
| Classical Dance | State of Origin |
|---|---|
| Sattriya | Assam |
| Bharatnatyam | Tamil Nadu |
| Kathakali and Mohiniyattam | Kerala |
| Kuchipudi | Andhra Pradesh |
| Kathak | North India |
| Manipuri | Manipur |
| Odissi | Odisha |
Two Separate Streams of Sattriya
Sattriya can be divided into two separate streams. The first one is Bhaona-related repertoire which starts with Gayan-Bhayanar Nach and ends with Kharmanar Nach. The second stream is comprised of independent dance numbers such as Chali, Rajagharia Chali, Jhumura, and Nadu Bhangi.
Popular Artists
Over the years, many artists have contributed to the popularisation and development of Sattriya. Among them, Guru Jatin Goswami and Sharodi Saikia have played a significant role in propelling Sattriya onto the national stage.
