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 Summer camp by Saptaswa on Sattriya and Khol - Dr. Jintu Sarma e-mail: drjintusarma@gmail.com July 17, 2022 Recently, Saptaswa.....the rays of performing art (A leading socio-cultural organization of Assam) hosted a Sattriya Dance and Khol playing summer workshop from 1st to 7th July 2022 at Chandmari Durga Puja Mandap, Tezpur. The program was financially supported by Sangeet Natak Akademi, New Delhi. During lockdown and amidst high pandemic also Saptaswa devoted itself to different activities. Since its inception (2011), Saptaswa has been organizing summer camps, workshops and national dance festival every year.  The objective of this workshop was to impart traditional Sattra based knowledge, to provide one national platform and to encourage the growing talents. To conduct the workshop, renowned Sattriya guru Haricharan Bhuyan Borbayan hailing from Natun Kamalabari Sattra, Majuli, was invited. Papul Saikia from Madhya Kamalabari Sattra assisted the entire workshop along with Haricharan Bhuyan Borbayan. On 1st July, the Sattriya dance and Khol workshop was inaugurated by Prithvi Raj Rabha, MLA, Tezpur constituency along with other guests Jiten Kumar Das, Cultural Development officer, Jyoti Bharati, Tezpur; renowned Kathak artiste Bipul Das; Likan Sarma, Principal, Jyotikala Kendra; Pankaj Baruah, Former President, Axom Sahitya Sabha, Tezpur Branch; Kamal Upadhyay, Retd. Vice Principal, Tezpur College; and Ramesh Kalita, Former Principal, Ghoramari H.S. School. The inaugural program was prettily anchored by Udita Pokhral. In this function some students of Saptaswa were specially felicitated for their excellence in different dance related programs (CCRT Scholarship, winning in reality shows, winning in Sambhabana, international competitions, cultural quota etc.) as well as in academics. The students are Meghmallika Borah, Prerana B, Shritashini Das, Vidisha Saha, Gayatri Biswakarma, Swati Bayan, Mrigashree Baruah, Sampriti Bora, Kristina Pujari, Namrata Gogoi.  Felicitation of resource persons The workshop concluded on 8th July. More than 45 boys and girls participated in the workshop. The final valedictory function was held at Chandmari Durga Puja Mandap. The function was graced with the presence of Dr. Madhurima Goswami, Professor of Cultural Studies Department & Head of Chandraprava Saikiani Center for Women Studies, Tezpur University and eminent Odissi guru; Prithvi Raj Rabha, Kamal Upadhyay, Rinkumoni Lahkar, Ward Commissioner. Haricharan Bhuyan Borbayan and Papul Saikia were specially felicitated by Saptaswa for their weeklong effort. The participants performed some items which they learned in the workshop like Khol Badan, Matiakhora, Krishnanach, Gopinach and Rajaghoria Chali Naach. The prowess of the participants and how well they learned during the 7 days training was amazingly reflected in their performance. It showed the power of tradition that was set by Srimanta Sankardeva hundreds of years back. Certificates were distributed to the participants. Articulating experiences and congratulating Saptaswa, Guru Haricharan Bhuyan Borbayan conveyed his pleasure in holding such a remarkable workshop on the great gift of Srimanta Sankardeva, the pride of Assam. Sagarika Baruah hosted the valedictory function. Dr. Pratibha Sharma, General Secretary of Saptaswa, delivered the vote of thanks.  Dr. Jintu Sarma is Assistant Professor & Head, Dept. of Botany, Guwahati College. |
