The 15th Sattriya Sangeet Samaroh was organized by the Sangeet Natak Akademi in Guwahati, the capital of Assam. In the 15th century, Srimanta Sankaradeva, the great Vaishnava saint and social reformer of Assam introduced Satriya dance as a powerful medium for the propagation of Vaishnavism.
Over time, this dance style developed and expanded as a distinct dance style. This new treasure of Assamese dance and drama, has been developed and preserved with great promise by the Satras over the centuries.
“Shankardev” composed this dance style in his own new style by incorporating various components like different local dissertations, local folk dances. Before the Neo-Vaishnava movement, there were two dance forms in Assam, Oja Palli and ‘Devadasi’ with many classical elements (elements).
Two types of Oja Palli dances still exist in Assam – Suknani, in which Oja Palli dances accompanies group singing on the occasion of the worship of the serpent goddess. Srimanta Sankardeva linked his daily religious rituals with songs and dances in the session.
The dancers of the Oja Palli group not only sing and dance, but also explain the narration (narrative) through postures and stylized movements. As far as the Devadasi dance is concerned, a large number of sattriya dances are accompanied by dance with lyrical words and foot work. The similarity of the postures directs the clear influence of the Devadasi dance on the Sattriya dance. Other visual influences on Satriya dance are from Assamese folk dances like Bihu, Bodo etc.
classical dance of India
The history of dance in India is very ancient. The bronze statue of a dancing woman, which has been received from Mohenjodaro, is considered to be the most amazing creation in the world. It is believed that all dances in India originated from the Tandava dance of Lord Shiva. Bharatmuni’s Natyashastra provides important information on the development of dance.
Bharatanatyam – “Bharatnatyam is a very widespread form of Indian classical dance”. “Bharatanatyam dance is a classical dance form of Tamil Nadu”. Bharatanatyam is a type of classical dance. Bharatanatyam dance is believed to be based on the Natya Shastra of Bharata Muni.
Bharatanatyam is considered to be the oldest classical dance, it is said to be about 2000 years old. This classical dance is believed to be based on Natyashastra.
Kathak – Kathak is also one of the classical dances of India. This dance is also very popular. Kathak dance is said to be the classical dance of Uttar Pradesh, but it is prevalent not only in Uttar Pradesh but in many places in India such as in Rajasthan in Uttar Pradesh in some part of Madhya Pradesh. The word Kathak is derived from the Sanskrit word Katha and in Sanskrit language, Kathak means story teller.
It is also believed that this dance was also performed by Lord Krishna. There are two parts of this dance which are – Tandava, Lasya.
Kuchipudi – Kuchipudi is also a classical dance and this classical dance originated from Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh state of India.
Only men used to dance in this classical dance. Inscriptions and literary sources about this classical dance date back to the 16th century.
Odissi – From the name of this classical dance, it seems that this dance originated from Odisha. This dance is performed by women. Odissi dance was performed by the women of the state of Odisha in temple services.
This type of classical dance was also performed on religious faith. The mention of this classical dance is similar to that of the Sun temple, Konark temple. Odissi dance has also been adopted in the stories of Lord Jagannath. Evidence of this dance is found in Hindu temples, archaeological sites of Buddhism and Jainism.
Kathakali – Kathakali is also a classical dance and the origin of this classical dance is considered to be Kerala. All the artists need to be fully trained to perform Kathakali dance. Kathakali is also like Kathak and it is also depicted like a story.
Sattriya- Dance originated in the Vaishnavas in the Sattras (monasteries) of Assam in the 15th century. It is believed that this dance form is based on the stories of Lord Shri Krishna’s pastimes and sometimes on the stories of Lord Shri Ram and Sita.
Sattriya Nritya Kalan is based on the art of hand gestures, the use of steps (pada karma), movement and expression (dance and acting).
Manipuri – Manipuri dance has its origin and development between India and Myanmar and in Manipur.
In this dance, the themes of the compositions of Vishnu Purana, Bhagavata Purana and Gita Govinda are mostly used.
This dance is considered different from the rest of the classical dance of India and in this dance the body moves very slowly.
To perform this dance, “a whole crew is required” and to perform this dance, everyone is first taught a nurturing cloth called ‘Kumil’.
Mohiniyattam – “This dance ie Mohiniyattam is based on Mohini in the form of Lord Shri Vishnu”. “This dance is developed and originated in the Indian state of Kerala”.
This dance incorporates elements from both Bharatanatyam and Kathakali. The song that is required to perform this dance is a language called “Geet Maniparva”, they are in that language. In this dance, the story of the ocean-churning of Lord Vishnu is explained. In which he took the form of Mohini during the churning of the ocean.
