Sattriya dance

"Sattriya", or "Sattriya Nritya", is one among eight principal classical Indian dance traditions. Whereas some of the other traditions have been revived in the recent past, "Sattriya" has remained a living tradition since its creation by the Assamese Vaishnav saint Srimanta Sankardeva, in 15th century Assam. [Sethi, Arshiya " [http://www.janasadharan.com/yat/31.htm Sattriya: The redefining of a tradition] "]

Sankardeva created "Sattriya Nritya" as an accompaniment to the "Ankiya Naat" (a form of Assamese one-act plays devised by him), which were usually performed in the "sattra"s, as Assam's monasteries are called. As the tradition developed and grew within the "sattras", the dance form came to be called "Sattriya Nritya". [Thakur, Sudarsha " [http://www.janasadharan.com/yat/32.htm Cultural Reportage] "] Today, although "Sattriya Nritya" has emerged from within the confines of the "sattras" to a much wider recognition, the "sattras" continue to use the dance form for ritualistic and other purposes for which it was originally created circa 500 years ago.

The dance

The core of "Sattriya Nritya" has usually been mythological stories. This was an artistic way of presenting mythological teachings to the people in an accessible, immediate, and enjoyable manner. Traditionally, "Sattriya" was performed only by "bhokot"s (male monks) in monasteries as a part of their daily rituals or to mark special festivals. Today, in addition to this practice, "Sattriya" is also performed on stage by men and women who are not members of the "sattras", on themes not merely mythological.

"Sattriya Nritya" is divided into many genres: "Apsara Nritya", "Behar Nritya", "Chali Nritya", "Dasavatara Nritya", "Manchok Nritya", "Natua Nritya", "Rasa Nritya", "Rajaghariya Chali Nritya", "Gosai Prabesh", "Bar Prabesh", "Gopi Prabesh", "Jhumura", "Nadu Bhangi", and "Sutradhara", to name but a few. Like the other seven schools of classical Indian dance, "Sattriya Nritya" encompasses the principles required of a classical dance form: the treatises of dance and dramaturgy, like Natyashastra, Abhinaya Darpana, and Sangit Ratnakara; a distinct repertoire (marg) and the aspects of nrtta (pure dance), nrtya (expressive dance), and natya (abhinaya).

"Sattriya Nritya" is accompanied by musical compositions called "borgeets" (composed by Sankardeva among others) which are based on classical ragas. The instruments that accompany a traditional performance are "khols" (drums), "taals" (cymbals), the flute. Other instruments like the violin and the harmonium have been recent additions. The dresses are usually made of "pat", a type of silk produced in Assam, woven with intricate local motifs. The ornaments, too, are based on traditional Assamese designs.

History

In the second half of the 19th century, "Sattriya Nritya" emerged from the sanctum of Assam's "sattras". It moved from the monastery to the metropolitan stage. The "sattras" had maintained certain rigid disciplines and austerities within their walls, and until the first half of the 19th century this dance style was performed in a highly ritualistic manner by male dancers alone. The classical rigidity, the strict adherence to certain principles, and the non-engagement of academic research on the dance form all contributed to the delayed recognition and acceptance of "Sattriya Nritya" as one of the eight classical dance forms of India. On 15 November 2000, the Sangeet Natak Akademi finally gave "Sattriya Nritya" its due recognition as one of the classical dance forms of India, alongside the other seven forms.

However, despite its delayed inclusion within the canon of classical Indian dance, and the accompanying lack of organisational support from the Centre that that entailed, "Sattriya Nritya" continued through the centuries to maintain within its forms the classical exactitude and intricate detail that mark ancient art forms. One positive outcome of Sattriya Nritya's strict adherence to the principles of the "sattras" has been this ability to maintain its pure forms, its distinct style. Now that it has made its journey from the sanctified interiors of Assam's "sattras" to the demotic spaces of the world's stages, it is time for an appraisal of Sattriya Nritya's artistic and aesthetic qualities.

Other Indian Classical Dances

The Sangeet Natak Akademi currently confers classical status on eight Indian dance forms:

#Bharatanatyam - Tamil Classical Dance
#Odissi - Orrisa Classical dance
#Kuchipudi - Telugu Classical dance
#Manipuri - Manipur Classical Dance
#Mohiniaattam - Kerala Classical Dance
#Kathakali - Malayalam Classical Dance
#Kathak - North Indian Classical Dance

See also

* List of dance style categories
* List of dances

External links

* [http://www.sattriya.co.in Sattriya Dance] By Mrs Devika P. Borthakur and Mr.Pulak J. Borthakur,news,feedback,legends,performances,news,events,interviews of sattriya dance of Assam *

References