Innovation weds creativity

The performing arts today are dominated by different kinds of dance forms which gives less importance to history and emphasizes more on innovation and creativity.

There are moments when ancient dance forms fade away when there <g data-gr-id="39">is</g> no interest or means to keep the art alive. The audience at ICCR auditorium, however, were enthralled when they witnessed an age old <g data-gr-id="42">dance-form</g> called <g data-gr-id="41">Srijan’r</g> Nritya Arghya which is a powerful and elegant performance showcasing the 500-year old Sattriya Dance form.

Organised by the Srimanta Foundation, the dance form was presented by <g data-gr-id="35">Srijani</g> <g data-gr-id="36">Bhaswa</g> Mahanta, the lead dancer, who was accompanied by a group of young monks from Assam.

 The distinguished guests for the evening were Sonal Mansingh, Jawhar Sircar and Satish C Mehta. Sarbananda Sonowal, Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, who originally hails from Assam, was also present.

Starting the programme with Sutradhari Nritya, <g data-gr-id="38">Srijani</g> wowed the audience with her performance as Purusha and Prakriti which involved singing and mimicry filled with emotion. Eminent classical dancer Sonal Man Singh, who was among those present, appreciated her dancing as well as singing and said, 

“Apart from her dancing, her singing was sweet, evocative and soothing.”

CEO of Prasar Bharti, Jawhar Sircar said, “Although other classical dance forms have had to be reworked, cleansed and re-packaged over the years, Sattriya had been able to maintain its pure form and distinct style for over 500 years.” Sattriya or Sattriya <g data-gr-id="34">Nritya,</g> originally created approximately 500 years ago, is one of the eight principal classical Indian dance forms but only received this recognition as recent as in the year 2000. Till a few decades ago the dance form was only performed by male monks.

Excited with the overwhelming response from the audience, Mahanta said, “I was brought up in an environment of traditional Sattriya culture of Barkhatpar <g data-gr-id="45">Sattra</g>, Sivasagar, Assam and hence have been a participant and observer of various facets of Sattriya music, dance and theatre. I started learning Sattriya dance in 1999 when I was <g data-gr-id="46">six-year old</g> and feel extremely blessed to be a disciple of Guru Ghanakanta Bora Borbayan. In 2003, I was introduced to the vibrant world of Abhinaya and various nuances of Sattriya choreography by my Guru, Late Jagannath Mahanta.”

<g data-gr-id="43">Srijani</g> who recently graduated from Lady Shri Ram College has been training since her childhood days under the guidance of her Guru Padmashree Ghanakanta Bora Borbayan with the music being composed under the guidance of Kesavananda Deva Goswami.