SATTRIYA

Sattriya-

General Background:

Sattriya originated in a monastery within the northeastern state of Assam. This dance form is based on the arts, as it displays an act of a play relating to dance, religion, or drama. The roots of this dance are based upon ancient musical texts of the performing arts infused with religious ideals. This dance is made up of three parts, each holding a significant role and story depicted by facial and body movements.

This dance is performed by both men and women adorned in many colors and a variety of fabrics. The dance is accompanied by clay or leather instruments.

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Definitions for clarification:

Hasta Mudras : Hand Gestures

Aharyas: Costumes used in dance

The Learning Process:

In Satriya there is not a set curriculum on how the elements of the dance is thought but there are the general components the students learn

• Principles of footwork

• Principles of aharyas

•   Principles of hasta mudras

• Bhaona-related repertoire that stem from Gayan-Bhayanar Nach to the Kharmanar Nach

• Independent dance pieces like, Chali, Jhumura, Nadu Bhangi. Each of these dance numbers have different characteristic in the style that makes the difference from each other. Chalis is more graceful while Jumura is more vigor.

* The Bhaona repertoire path and the Independent dance piece path are two different streams of the dance that the students learn.