About Sattriya Dance

The sattriya dance, one of the finest forms of Indian dances, is an offshoot of the new vaisnava movement in assam in the 15th 17th centuries, with Srimanta Sankardeva (1449 - 1568), the great saint poet as its fountainhead. The sattriya follows some treditional principles supported by written treatises of india and local tradition. It has a distinct grammer of perfomance pattern with mathmetical precision in terms of melodic and rhythmic structure, aesthetics, foot - works and hand - gestures etc. A distinct system of melody and rhythm, not akin to other forms, has given this tradition a separate entity besides the nrittye and natya elements of it.

Althoug originaly preserved and practiced in the sattra institution as a means of cultivation bhakti and being done even today, the sattriya has now also taken the new dimension of a district perfoming art form of secular, aesthetic and academic interest.

The training of sattriya dance is started with Maati Akhora (ground exercise). There are 64 (sixty four) kinds of Maati Akhora in sattriya dance tradition. Generally the learners of sattriya dance strictly follow the training course of 1. Maati Akhora, 2. Nadubhangi, 3. Jhunura Nach, 4. Bhojan Behar, 5. Chali Nach, 6. Rojagharia Chali Nach, 7. Dances of Ankia Bhaona such as :

A. Gayan Bayan , B. Sutradhari Nach, C. GosaiPraveshar Nach, D. Gopipraveshar Nach, E. Rojar Praveshar Nach, F. Viror Praveshar Nach, G. Kalyan Kharmanar Nach, H. Abhinaya in Akshepiki and Prasadiki Geet.