Assam Governor Prof Jagdish Mukhi hailed the contributions of Sangeet Sattra for its pioneering role in the promotion of Sattriya dance and bringing it from the confines of the Sattras and paved the way for its recognition as the eighth classical dance form of India.
Speaking at the golden jubilee celebrations of Sangeet Sattra at Srimanta Sankardeva Kalakshetra in Guwahati on Monday, Governor Prof Mukhi while taking a bow of the founders of the Sattra like Dr Maheswar Neog and Barbayan Raseswar Saikia said, “it is for the devout role of these personalities Sangeet Sattra which was set up in 1967 has come to stage and took Sattriya dance to its current position”.
Governor Prof Mukhi also took note of the contributions of Radha Govinda Baruah, Rudra Barua, Keshab Mahanta, Keshab Changkakoti, Atul Barua, Dr Promode Bhattacharya and Dr Birendranath Dutta, who have associated themselves with the institution supported the institution in its early years and brought it to the present day.
The Governor also said that Srimanta Shankardev and Shri Madhabdev laid the foundation of the Assamese identity through their contributions in dance, drama, song, painting, handicrafts.
They connected Assam to the mainland culturally and spiritually, as an important part of the Bhakti movement that swept through India in the fifteenth and sixteenth century. Both the persons talked about this great land of Bharatvarsha and how one gained spiritual bliss, by taking birth here. The Sangeet Sattra has kept this tradition alive, a tradition that has been living for the last 550 years.
Governor Prof Mukhi also said that there is a need for the young to be aware of our glorious traditions and philosophy and Sangeet Sattra is filling up this essential need very forcefully.
Two generations of youth have passed through the doors of this great institution and acquainted themselves with the rich culture of Assam.
So this institution become a centre of pilgrimage.
He also hailed the role of Sangeet Sattra which has spread its wings through Assam in the last fifty years and now has 223 affiliates.
He also asked the institution to carry forward its hallowed services and take Sattriya Dance to all areas transcending all boundaries.
The Governor also conferred the 10th Rasheswar Saikia Barbayan Sattriya Award on Dr Sunil Kothari, Sangeet Natak Akademi fellow, Munnalal Shukla, an exponent of Kathak dance, Prabhat Sarma Sangeet Natak Akademi Award winner.