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A Vision in Progress: Sattriya Dance Series UK 2007

By admin ⋅ August 30, 2007 ⋅  Email this post ⋅  Print this post ⋅ Post a comment

In September 2007, there will be a rare opportunity for mainstream British performing arts scene to experience Sattriya dances of Assam, the 8th classical dance form of India, in both historical and contemporary contexts through an innovative tour of live performances, lectures and workshops in mainstream dance venues, universities and museums in the UK by two generations of Indian dancers and choreographers – Indira P.P. Bora and This series will highlight the contemporary relevance of Sattriya dance evolved by Sri Sankardev in the 15th century A.D. in Assam. The vision of bridging the age-old spiritual philosophy and aesthetics of Srimanta Sankardev’s living legacy and the contemporary cultural identity of Indian arts and culture is celebrated and embraced in this exclusive ‘Sattriya Dance Series’.  Sri Sankardev’s message of universal peace, equality and tolerance is a powerful message in today’s world of emerging global violence and religious segregation.

In order to develop a vision of creating new directions and possibilities of Sattriya dance culture within and outside Assam, the series will introduce the history of Sattriya dance culture and engage with a real question. How can we connect our ancient traditions to new modernities without losing the essence of the original forms?

For the first time in the history of Sattriya dance music, the traditional Nagara drums were introduced by Menaka in consultation with dance gurus as a major musical accompaniment into classical Sattriya dance repertoire in 2003. So far only Khol was used as the prime rhythmic instrument in Sattriya dance music. The traditional Chali nritta (a pure dance item) was performed to the beats of Nagara drums. This was an original project developed and performed in close collaboration with established Nagara player and guru Aswini Kumar Bayan of Guwahati. The purpose was to develop a new direction in Sattriya dance music repertoire within the classical framework of Sattriya dance and also, to implement lesser known but suitable Assamese musical instruments into Sattriya dance music. This work will be included in the series.

For the first time in classical Sattriya dance presentation, solo Sattriya dance was introduced simultaneously with dancing drummers (Khol player and Bhortal player) set to traditional Sattriya talas and hand gestures from the famous 17th century text, Srihastamuktâvali by poet Shubhankar. Originally conceived, choreographed, arranged and performed by Menaka with Sattriya musicians Sada Hazarika, Dhruba Baruah and Pankaj Baruah, this work was premiered at Khajuraho Festival of Dances in 2004 with critical success. The idea of this innovative union and choreography between dance and Khol playing on stage is now deployed and extended by other Sattriya dance artistes in their performances. Sattriya dance is presented in a collaborative platform, which will remain true to its traditions and at the same time will respond to contemporary concerns and universal appeal.

These projects will be performed and analyzed among diverse groups of knowledgeable and mass audiences throughout the tour in the UK.

About the dancers and choreographers:

Indira P.P. Bora, an award winning Indian classical dance exponent, is currently celebrating the golden jubilee of her dance career. She began learning Sattriya dance at a tender age from gurus in Assam and has further trained in Bharata Natyam under direct supervision of legendary dancer and educationalist Rukmini Devi Arundale of Kalakshetra in Chennai.  She has played major roles in the classical dance dramas choreographed by Rukmini Devi and has extensively toured with Kalakshetra’s company in Europe in the 1960s and 1970s. Along with gurus, she has introduced Sattriya dance in major dance festivals and cultural centres of India and abroad. Her solo dance works are archived in Lincoln Center for Performing Arts in New York. During last fifty years of her active dance career she has become a role model for younger generation of women in north-east India by raising the profile of performing arts as a respectable and sustainable profession, pioneering the development of female dancing tradition in Sattriya dance, creating employment avenues for young women artistes in the region and developing arts education for young children. She was awarded Sangeet Natak Academy Award by Govt. of India for Sattriya dance. As a founder of Kalabhumi arts centre in 1982 in Guwahati, Indira continues to develop both spiritual and socio-cultural role of ‘dance’ in present day society. Kalabhumi Dance Company regularly performs with a band of young dancers in India and overseas. Kalabhumi is currently celebrating its silver jubilee year through performances in dance festivals and concerts across many parts of India.

Throughout her golden jubilee celebrations, Indira has successfully toured South Korea in April 07 and has received the prestigious Bisnu Rava Award from Chief Minister of Assam in June 07 for her contribution to Sattriya dance development in the region.

Menaka P.P. Bora, a young and versatile Indian classical dance soloist and choreographer, is deeply committed to the research and performance of Sattriya dance as a contemporary classical form. Besides working at the grass roots with traditional monks and musicians in Assam, Menaka is currently contributing to the emerging field of South Asian media and performance in the UK as a scholar and artiste. She has widely performed in the international dance circuits in France, Australia and the USA. She is just finishing her PhD in Media and Communications at Goldsmiths College, University of London.