Sattriya, one of India’s classical dance forms, was introduced in the 15th century by the Assamese saint-scholar Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardev.
Cultural and Religious Significance
- Developed within Assam’s Vaishnavite monasteries (sattras), Sattriya was integral to the Bhakti movement, aiming to promote devotion (bhakti) towards Lord Krishna.
- Originally performed by male monks (bhokots) in monasteries, Sattriya was part of daily rituals and special festivals.
Recognition as a Classical Dance: In 2000, the Sangeet Natak Akademi recognized Sattriya as one of India’s classical dance forms, elevating its status and promoting its practice nationwide.
Sattriya encompasses:
- Nritta: Pure dance movements focusing on rhythm and grace.
- Nritya: Expressive dance conveying emotions and narratives.
- Natya: Dramatic storytelling through dance-drama performances.
The dance form includes one-act plays known as Ankiya Nat, combining dance, drama, and music.
Distinct Dance form:
- Male stance: Purush Pak
- Female stance: Prakriti Pak
It has two distinctly separate streams – the Bhaona-related repertoire starting from the Gayan-Bhayanar Nach to the Kharmanar Nach,
secondly the dance numbers which are independent, such as Chali, Rajagharia Chali, Jhumura, Nadu Bhangi etc. Among them the Chali is characterized by gracefulness and elegance, while the Jhumura is marked by vigor and majestic beauty.
Styles
A Sattriya performance comes in many styles such as the Sutradhara (or Sutra-bhangi), character specific Bhangi, Prabesh, Nritya and Jhumura.
The Sutradhara is a style that tells a story and presents the spiritual values of Vaisnavism in a complete classical format: nritta, nritya and natya.
One feature of the Sutradhara (or Sutradhari) style is the included commentary for the audience in local language.
Ankiya Nat is a subgenre consisting of one-act plays of Sattriya. These are dedicated compositions but feature a ballad, dance and drama.
Themes and Inspirations
Performances predominantly depict stories from the Bhagavata Purana, Ramayana, Mahabharata, and compositions by Assamese scholars, focusing on Lord Krishna and other avatars of Vishnu.
Music and Instruments
- Sattriya is accompanied by traditional Assamese instruments, including:
- Khol: A two-faced asymmetrical drum.
- Taal: Cymbals of various types.
- Flute: Known as bahi.
Costumes and Attire
Performers wear traditional Assamese attire:
- Men: Dhoti, chadar, and paguri (turban).
- Women: Ghuri, chadar, and kanchi (waist cloth).
Costumes are usually white or raw silk, symbolizing purity and devotion.
Sattriya dance stands as a testament to Assam’s rich cultural heritage, reflecting the region’s devotion, artistry, and historical depth.
