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 Workshop on Ankia Bhaona - Dr. Jintu Sarma e-mail: drjintusarma@gmail.com August 10, 2023 Like past years, this year also Saptaswa...the rays of performing art, conducted a 15 day long Sattriya Ankia Bhaona workshop under the financial support of Sangeet Natak Akademi, New Delhi from 25th July to 8th August 2023. The inauguration programme was graced by dignitaries like Jiten Kumar Das, Cultural Development Officer, (Poki) Govt. of Assam, Ramesh Kalita, President, Tezpur Sahitya Sabha, Jitumoni Deb Choudhury, Secretary, Baan Theatre, and Likhan Sarma, Principal, Jyotikala Kendra Sangeet Mahavidyalaya, Tezpur. Sattriya Guru Atul Bhuyan hailing from Aauniati Satra, Majuli and tutor of Luit Konwar Rudra Barua State College of Music, Guwahati; Papul Saikia, a reputed Sattriya exponent of Assam from Madhya Majuli Kamalabari Sattra; and Dr. Pratibha Sharma of Saptaswa acted as resource persons.  The main objective of the workshop was to impart traditional Sattra based knowledge, specially concept of Ankia Bhaona and Jhumuras written by Srimanta Sankardev and Madhavdev, and to explore the budding talents. Saptaswa decided to carry out a workshop on Ankia Bhaona to disseminate some basic knowledge among youths on different Ankia Bhaona like Sankardev's Rukmini Haran, Parijat Haran etc. About 45 students participated in the workshop, including the eight participants from Snehabandhan Children Home (an orphanage). A final valedictory function was held at Chandmari Durga Puja Mandap and also at Natasurya Phani Sharma Sanskritik Kshetra, Govt. Boys School, Tezpur. The valedictory function was graced by many dignitaries. Prithiraj Rabha, son of Kalaguru Bishnu Prasad Rabha and current local MLA, delivered a wonderful speech. Atul Bhuyan, Papul Saikia and Dr. Pratibha Sharma were specially felicitated by guardians of the participants. In this function two students of Saptaswa were specially felicitated for their excellence, for receiving CCRT scholarship - Charanyam Dixit Pujari (2022-23 in Khol) and Meghamallika Bora (2013-14 in Sattriya dance), also winning in reality shows like Sambhabana of Doordarshan as well as in academics. A Sattriya dance competition was organized on 2nd of July in memory of Late Sachindra Nath Sarma and Late Sabita Sarma. Winners of the competition were also awarded in the function.  Lastly participants performed some items which they learned in the 15 day workshop like Khol Badan, Matiakhora, Bhojan Bahar Naach, Rajaghoria Chali Naach, Geetar Nach on Brahma Taal and a composition on a Borgeet. The starting item was a Gayan-Bayan. Kathak by Gayatri Biswakarma, a senior student of Saptaswa, and an Odissi item by students of Nrityashala choreographed by Mayarani Borah were also performed. The valedictory function closed with the eye catching performance of the junior and senior participants with 'Chordhora'. Chordhara is one of the famous Jhumura (one act play) of Madhavdev. He had also written Arjun Bhanjan, Pimpara Guchowa, Bhumi Letowa, Bhojan Bihar. Except Arjun Bhanjan, his other dramas are called Jumuras. Chordhara Jhumura portrays about the child Krishna and his friend trying to steal butter from a Gopi's place and being caught. At the end of the program, the certificates were distributed to the participants. Gurus Papul Saikia and Atul Bhuyan expressed their pleasure for holding such a wonderful workshop on the great gift of Srimanta Sankardeva, the pride of Assam. Irani Mahanta hosted the inaugural and valedictory functions.  Dr. Jintu Sarma is Assistant Professor & former Head, Dept. of Botany, Guwahati College. |
