Q. With reference to the famous Sattriya dance, consider the following statements:

  1. Sattriya is a combination of music, dance and drama.
  2. It is a centuries-old living tradition of Vaishnavites of Assam.
  3. It is based on classical Ragas and Talas of devotional songs composed by Tulsidas, Kabir and Mirabai.

Which of the statements above is/are correct?

  • 1 only
  • 1 and 2 only
  • 2 and 3 only
  • 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (b) 1 and 2 only

Sattriya Classical Dance:
  • The Sattriya Classical Dance form was introduced in the 15th century A.D by the great Vaishnava saint and reformer of Assam, Mahapurusha Sankaradeva as a powerful medium for propagation of the Vaishnava faith.
  • Sattriya is a classical dance of India, tracing its roots to ancient drama and music texts of India, particularly Bharata Muni‘s Nātya Śāstra.
  • The creation of Sattriya Nritya by Sankardeva was an accompaniment to the Ankiya Naat (a form of Assamese one-act plays devised by him), which were usually performed in the sattras, as Assam’s monasteries are called.
Sattriya classical dance 
Sattriya classical dance 
  • The Sangeet Natak Akademi recognized Sattriya Nritya as an official classical dance of India in 2000. Sattriyas are now performed on world’s stages.
Salient Features of Sattriya Classical Dance
  • The dance incorporates different elements from various treatises, local folk dances prevalent in Assam, mainly Ojapali and Devadasi.
  • Conventionally, this dance form was performed only by male monks (also known as Bhokots) in monasteries as part of their daily rituals or to mark special festivals .
  • In the modern days, Sattriya is performed on stage by women and men, who are not members of sattras, on themes not merely mythological.
  • Sattriya Nritya is divided into many genres: Apsara Nritya, Behar Nritya, Chali Nritya, Dasavatara Nritya, Manchok Nritya, Natua Nritya, Rasa Nritya, Rajaghariya Chali Nritya, Gosai Prabesh, Bar Prabesh, Gopi Prabesh, Jhumura, Nadu Bhangi, and Sutradhara,among others.
  • Sattriya Nritya is performed with musical composition called borgeets (composed by Sankardeva among others) which are usually based on classical ragas.
  • Sattriya dance tradition is governed by strictly laid down principles in respect of hastamudras, footworks, aharyas, music etc.
  • The dance tradition has developed into two distinctly separate streams- the Gayan-Bhayanar Nach and the Kharmanar Nach.
  • The dress is typical of Assam as the silk that are worn are produced in Assam, woven with meticulous designs.
  • Sattriya Proponents:
    • Maniram Datta Moktar, Bapuram Bayan Attai, Ghana Kanta Bora, Jatin Goswami, Indira PP Bora etc