Bharati Vidyapeeth University has decided to introduce Sattriya dance in their syllabus, keeping in mind the increase in interest among the non-Assamese students in Maharashtra.
Sarangadhar Sathe, Director, School of Performing Arts Department, took the initiative to start a seven-year-long certificate and diploma course in the University, as informed by Devika Saikia Borthakur well-known Pune-based Sattriya danseuse. The University also plans to introduce undergraduate and postgraduate courses in the future.
Saikia who works as an Associate Professor in the School of Performing Arts, Bharati Vidyapeeth University revealed that Sattriya classes have been started in association with another institution namely Art of Dancing in India (ADI) in Pune.
The syllabus in the University was prepared in compliance with the syllabus of Asom Satra Mahasabha with assistance from Padma Shri Nrityacharya, Jatin Goswami, Pradip Jyoti Mahanta and Ustad Bismillah Khan award winner Naren Chandra Baruah of Uttar Kamalabari Satra, Majuli.
The Maharashtra Government has also introduced the system of awarding 10 to 15 marks to the secondary students in their final examination who opt for Sattriya as an elective subject. 15-day long workshops on Sattriya dance were held earlier in Pune in association with Sangeet Natak Akademi which created enthusiasm among the students in the city, better known as the ‘Cultural Capital of India’.
However, Dr Devika who received a fellowship in 2017 from the Ministry of Culture, Government of India as ‘Outstanding Person in Sattriya Dance’, lamented that the Assam Government has not yet taken any initiative to start a similar course in schools, colleges or universities in the State formally, even though it has been a long pending demand.
