SATTRIYA: A connoisseur of dance

Sattriya is one of the most popular classical dance traditions of India which has its emergence from a five hundred year old extensive Lord Krishna centered theatre  disciplined in the Vaisnav Monasteries of northeast state of Assam.

This whole affair is based on the stories of mythological deities of Hindu religion such as Krishna and Radha as well as Vishnu avatars such Rama and Sita.

This is a versatile evolving art   that supplemented to the official classical dances of India in 2000 by Sangeet Natak  Akademi  and is performed by the artists worldwide.

The female artist wears ghuri and chadar made of pat, a silk from the mulberry plant whereas the male artist wears dhoti and chadar. Kanchi and Kingini, a waist cloth is adorned by both, male and female artists.

Sattriya, an art from Assam is based on the age-old treasure work on the performing arts, well known as NATYA SHASTRA, written by Bharata Muni who is considered as the ‘father of Indian theatrical dance forms’.

The modern form of this devotional art is attributed to 15 the century Shankaradev, a poet and social-religious reformer, credited for devising new forms for cultural music and dance. This exquisite dance is synthesis of expression, hand gesture called as Mudras, acting techniques, rhythmic movements and steps, footwork called as padas, postures and bhavas etc.  A few of vital elements of Sattriya is closely related to the Manpuri dance of adjacent state Manipur. 

The dance harmonizes two styles, one masculine and another feminine.  The masculine form is known as Paurashik Bhangi that is performed vigorously with jumps whereas the feminine form is acknowledged as Stri Bhangi and Lasya which is performed with tenderness and elegance.

Sattriya Abhinaya is a dance of delicacy, compassion and devotion. The stage shows of Sattriya are noted as Ankiya Naat.