Sattriya - Assamese Classical Dance

 Sattriya - Assamese Classical Dance

Sattriya, or Sattriya Nritya, is one among eight principal classical Indian dance traditions. Whereas some of the other traditions have been revived in the recent past, Sattriya has remained a living tradition since its creation by the Assamese Vaishnav saint Srimanta Sankardeva, in 15th century Assam
The Sattriya dance of Assam is a classical form of dance which is highly devotional in character with the spiritual aspect being predominant.
The word Sattriya is derived from Sattra which means monastery. Since the dance developed and grew within the Satras, it is named after these religious institutions. Specifically, it emerges from a 500 year old comprehensive theatre tradition nurtured in the Vaishnav Monasteries of Assam.
In the mid 15th century, Srimanta Shankardev, a poet and religious leader united the various sects of Assam through his teachings and established a universal social brotherhood of Neo-Vaishnavism through congregational prayer which included the music, the dance and the drama based on the life of Lord Krishna. The monks who lived in these Sattras performed these dance dramas as a votive offering to their Lord.
The popular artists of the Sattriya dance are Apsara Nritya, Behar Nritya, Chali Nritya, Dasavatara Nritya, Gosai Prabesh, Jhumura, Nadu Bhangi, Manchok Nritya, Bar prabesha, Natua Nritya, Gopi Pravesha, Rasa Nritya, Rajaghariya Chali Nritya, and Sutradhara.