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Indian Art, Culture & Heritage25 Essential Exam Concepts
What Is Sattriya Dance? Origin in Assam, Srimanta Sankardev & Classical Traditions
Sattriya is one of the eight recognized classical dance traditions of India, originating in the northeastern state of Assam. Rooted in the 15th-century Bhakti movement, Sattriya was conceived and structured by the venerated Vaishnavite saint, polymath, social reformer, and playwright Mahapurusha Srimanta Sankardev (1449–1568 CE) alongside his principal disciple, Madhavdev. Sankardev introduced Sattriya as an artistic medium of religious devotion within the institutional framework of the "Ekasarana Dharma"—a monotheistic Neo-Vaishnavite faith centered on exclusive surrender to Lord Krishna.
The dance form derives its name from the "Sattras"—monastic socio-religious institutions and monasteries established across Assam, most famously on the river island of Majuli in the Brahmaputra River. For centuries, Sattriya was nurtured and practiced exclusively within these monasteries by celibate male monks known as "Bhakats," who performed it as a ritualistic offering in the sanctum sanctorum or in the open assembly prayer hall called the "Namghar." It evolved as an organic theatrical component of the "Ankia Naat," a genre of single-act devotional plays written in Brajavali, an artificial literary blend of Assamese and Maithili languages.
Sattriya strictly adheres to classical principles codified in Bharata Muni's ancient dramaturgical treatise, the Natya Shastra, as well as the regional Assamese Sanskrit text, the Sri Hastamuktavali. It embodies two foundational aesthetic dimensions: "Tandava" (vigorous, masculine movements) and "Lasya" (graceful, lyrical feminine expressions). The movement repertoire is anchored by fundamental postures called "Ora" and footwork rhythmic patterns known as "Mati Akharas"—a comprehensive system of 64 foundational physical training exercises designed to condition the dancer's body.
Accompaniment in Sattriya performances features traditional classical compositions known as "Borgeet" (composed by Sankardev and Madhavdev), the pulsating beats of the "Khol" (a two-headed asymmetrical terracotta drum), and bronze cymbals called "Taal" (Bhortaal and Patitaal). Historically confined to monastic sanctuaries, Sattriya transitioned to secular public stages during the mid-20th century, culminating in its formal recognition as a classical Indian dance by the Sangeet Natak Akademi on November 15, 2000.