A packed ICCR auditorium at Azad Bhawan in New Delhi witnessed "Srijan'rNrityaArghya" - a powerful and elegant performance of the 500-year old Sattriya Dance form and an episodic Bhaona presentation by SrijaniBhaswaMahanta accompanied by a group of young monks from PuranaKamalabariSattra, Majuli, Assam on Sunday evening. The performance was organised by the Srimanta Foundation, in association with Indian Council for Cultural Relations, with SrijaniBhaswaMahanta as the lead dancer.

Sattriya or SattriyaNritya, originally created approximately 500 years ago, is one among the eight principal classical Indian dance traditions. In the year 2000, the Sattriya dances of Assam received recognition as one of the eight classical dance forms of Indi​​a. Till a few decades ago the dance form was only performed by male monks.

Starting the programme with SutradhariNritya, Srijani enthralled the audience with her performance as Purusha and Prakritiwhich involved singing and mimicry filled with emotion.Eminent classical dancer Sonal Man Singh, who was among those present,greatly appreciated her dancing as well singing and said, "Apart from her dancing, her singing was sweet, evocative and soothing."

Srijani who recently graduated from Lady Shri Ram College has been training since her childhood under the guidance of her Guru Padmashree Ghanakanta Bora Borbayan. The music was composed under the guidance of Kesavananda  DevaGoswami.

'NrixinghoMurari'-an episodic presentation of Bhaona, the Sankari form of theatre, directed by AdhyapakParamanandaKakoty was performed by the young monks of PuranaKamalabariSattra.Traditional Sattriya Masks of Barah and Nrixingha made by PradipHazarika of JorabariSattra of Amguri were being used in the short natya form in Srijani'rNrityaArghya​.​ The masks were made of items like bamboo, jute, tulapatand ​gobar​.​

CEO of PrasarBhartiJawharSircar 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."

SrijaniBhaswaMahanta was excited with the overwhelming response from the audience  and said, "I was brought up in an environment of traditional Sattriya culture of Sri SriBarkhatparSattra, 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 a six-year old and feel extremely blessed to be a disciple of Guru PadmashreeGhanakanta Bora Borbayan. In 2003, I was introduced to the vibrant world of Abhinaya and various nuances of Sattriya choreography by my Guru Late Dr. JagannathMahanta."

Srijani in her college tried her best to spread the spirit of this art tradition through numerous performances, lecture-demonstrations and casual conversations. The situation changed from the students being absolutely unaware of this dance form – to them calling it 'Kshatriya', mistaking it for some sort of war dance.

"Today, they not only pronounce it right, but also appreciate the niceties of theNritya, Abhinaya and Aharya.But a lot still needs to be done for the further spread and popularization of the form and its philosophy.", Ms Mahanta added.

The distinguished guests for the evening were Smti. SonalMansingh, ShriJawharSircar and ShriSatish C. Mehta.SarbanandaSonowal, Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, who hails from Assam, were also present to witness the performance and to show his support towards the 500-year old dance form.