Sattriya
is a word derived from Sattra which means monastery. In the mid 15th century,
Shankardev, a poet and religious leader united the various sects of Assam
through his teachings and established a universal social brotherhood of
Neo Vaishnavism through congregational prayer. This included music,
dance and drama based on the life of Lord Krishna. The monks who
lived in these Sattras performed these dance dramas as a votive offering
to their Lord. Shankardev composed Bargeet, Ojha Pali songs
and numerous dances which were incorporated into the dance drama called
Ankiya Nat.
The
framework and content of these Sattriya dances were well preserved in the
monasteries which were spread all across Assam. With texts like Sri
Hastamuktavali which describes detailed used of hand gestures, the style
has all the elements of Indian classical dance including a margam of eight
sequences which encompasses the tandava and lasya elements. This
eloquent ritual tradition has now been passed on to interested artistes
who are vigorously engaged in performing and popularizing Sattriya dance
in India and elsewhere in the world. |
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