Danseuse Anwesa Mahanta will embark on a spiritual quest through the eighth and perhaps the least known Indian classical dance, Sattriya, which has its origins in the Bhakti movement of the 15th century

Born in a Vaishnava monastery located in Assam, Anwesa Mahanta's training in Sattriya began at a very early age. Along with the training began her spiritual exploration through the dance form, which has devotion as its main inspiration. Mahanta will present the Sattriya dance form at the NCPA today in a performance titled Dance for Devotion: Parama Prema Rupa.



"Belonging to the monastery, I found myself amidst the cultural environs of music, dance and theatre which are practiced as a ritual. The journey into the arts thus began unknowingly. I also had the opportunity to accompany both my parents during their research explorations on the various aspects of the cultural history of Assam," says Mahanta. Her formal training in the dance form began at the age of eight. She went on to become one of the few renowned Sattriya dancers of the country and has performed widely in different parts of the country.

Sattriya, which was created by the Vaisnava saint Srimanta Sankardeva in the 15th century, dwells, to a large extent, on personal devotion. The dance has emerged gradually from the theatre tradition 'Ankiya Nat', which the saint-poet used as one of the prime vehicle to reach out to common people to spread the knowledge of Bhagavata.

Sattriya has continued as an oral tradition in the Sattras -- the Vaisnava monasteries. "The rich vocabulary of the form, graceful movements, the wavy nature of steps, with its local terminologies makes it stand as one of the most beautiful lyrical dance. Each movement and gesture of this dance style is a celebration of the energy flowing from the Bhakti philosophy," reveals Mahanta.

Through her performance at the NCPA, Mahanta hopes to further augment her spiritual quest as she pays a humble tribute to the saint-poet Srimanta Sankardeva and his apostles.

On Today, 7 pm AT Little Theatre, NCPA, Nariman Point.
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