As part of the international webinar series on Different facets of Sankaradeva Studies, organized by Society for Srimanta Sankaradeva, Geetha Sivangala Thandi, a Kuchipudi dance practitioner, California, USA delivered lecture on “Comparison between Sattriya dance and Kuchipudi dance” on 9th January, 2022. It was moderated by Dr. Sanjib Kumar Borkakoti, author and scholar of Sankari culture, who is also President of the Society for Srimanta Sankaradeva.
Geetha Sivangala Thandi in her lecture compared two classical dance forms of India, Kuchipudi and Sattrīyā, belonging to Andhra and Assam regions, respectively. The context selected was the enactment of the play Pārijāta Haraṇa. It is performed as Śrī Kṛiṣṇa Pārijātaṁ in Kuchipudi and Pārijāt Haraṇ in Sattrīyā. Comparison of the two dance forms was done by her based on the eleven aspects of Nāṭya Śāstra, with special focus on Caturvidha Abhinaya. Comparison was also done on aspects such as story, script, and characters. It was observed that though the thematic content is the same, that is the propitiation of lord Kṛiṣhṇa, the approach taken in Kuchipudi is Madhura Bhakti and in Sattrīyā is Dāsya Bhakti. The artistic expressions and treatment are diverse and distinctly regional. Apart from spatial and temporal, the other reasons for this distinction are observed to be socio-political and economic. The popularity of these dance dramas is a pointer to the twin objectives of dance dramas - spiritual awakening and entertainment.
Dr Sanjib Kumar Borkakoti gave a brief idea of both the dance forms in his introductory comments. Dr Borkakoti said that there are some significant similarities between Sattriya dance and Kuchipudi dance. They both belong to devotional genres. Earlier female roles were played by male dancers in both. But there are also some differences like worship of Shakti in Kuchipudi dance, which is not seen in Sattriya dance. Srimanta Sankaradeva created his own music for the dance form, which is not the case in Kuchipudi dance. Dr Borkakoti said there was a necessity for more such comparative studies, especially from practitioners with academic orientation.
There was interaction with the audience comprising of both academicians and practitioners. Dr Ratul Chandra Bora from Jorhat, Seema Savita Das from Nagaon and Rupam Jyoti Bora from Guwahati gave their observations on the lecture. They appreciated Geetha Sivangala Thandi for highlighting the distinctive features of the two classical dance forms. Earlier Mridu Moucham Bora, Secretary of Society for Srimanta Sankaradeva, welcomed Geetha Sivangala Thandi. It may be noted that the Society for Srimanta Sankaradeva is known for reviving Sankari crafts like manuscript painting and preparing Aharya of Ankiya Bhaona. It runs a website www.sankaradeva.com about Sankaradeva’s legacy. It also organised a conference in Bargeet with maestros some years ago to prevent distortion in this musical form.
29 Aug 2008 - 2:18pm | editor
As many as 40 ultras belonging to ULFA, ANLA and KLNLF are set to surrender before army on Friday. According to sources, these rebels will lay down their arms at a function being organised at Rangia...
16 Jan 2014 - 11:17am | AT News
KMSS leaders are all set to hold a crucial meeting with social activist Medha Patkar in New Delhi on Thursday.The meeting assumes significance a day before Patkar’s preparedness to join the Aam Admi...
9 Apr 2016 - 10:33pm | AT Kokrajhar Bureau
As many as 44 illegal arms were seized in the district during the intensified check and search ahead assembly election, besides recovery of 13 grenades and seized 6731 litres of liquors. Madhav...
16 Jul 2016 - 3:24pm | Dibya J Borthakur
Amid an uneasy situation AGP leader and former Chief Minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta demanded an impartial probe into Friday’s police firing where a protester was killed and several others sustained...
The Assam Association Chennai witnessed a momentous event on July 23, 2023, as a new general body was formed to lead the association for the session 2023-25. The election results, declared by the election commission of Assam Association Chennai, brought forth a team of dedicated individuals to spearhead the organization's activities and initiatives.
The elected members who will guide the Assam Association Chennai for the next two years are as follows:
President: Dwip Kinkar Goswami
Vice-president: Deben Daloi
General Secretary: Gautam Deori
Joint Secretary: Bijoy Bordoloi
Cultural...
In a recent press release issued by the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA- Independent), the militant outfit has vehemently denied any association with the individuals arrested for collecting funds in the name of the organization. The ULFA-I has accused the Assam Police of misleading actions and false implications.
The press release highlighted the arrests of Pushpanjali Gohain and Hem Chetia, who were found in possession of Rs 3 lakh and accepting donations, respectively, on behalf of "United Liberation Army, Assam [Independent]." The ULFA-I clarified that they have no connection with these individuals and their actions, asserting that the organization does not involve women in such...
The Meiteis of Manipur residing in Mizoram have reportedly started leaving the state due to safety concerns prompted by a recently-viral video. According to reports, the former militants' organization "Peace Accord MNF Returnees’ Association" and the "Hmar Students Association" allegedly asked the Meiteis of Manipur to leave Mizoram for their own safety. This has led to over 300 Meiteis gathering in Aizawl, while others have sought shelter in local churches. Some have reached Imphal Airport today, with many others still stuck in Mizoram.
There are over 2,000 Meiteis in Mizoram, of which half originate from Manipur, and are working in various sectors, including central government offices...
Majuli: In the wake of a devastating storm that wreaked havoc on 20th April, 2023 in Majuli island of Assam, North-East Affected Area Development Society (NEADS), a local humanitarian organisation has sprung into action, initiating a humanitarian relief and rehabilitation programme to assist the affected communities in their time of need.
The massive storm, which struck the island with unrelenting force, caused widespread destruction to homes, infrastructure and livelihoods, leaving hundreds of families grappling with the aftermath of the disaster. With access to basic necessities and essential services severely compromised, the affected communities faced numerous challenges on the path...
Ajit Kumar Bhuyan, a Member of Parliament in Rajya Sabha and the President of Jatiya Dal-Asom, has filed an FIR against Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and several other ministers and MLAs. The FIR, addressed to the Officer-In-Charge of Dispur Police Station, alleges that the statements made by these constitutional functionaries constitute hate speeches against a particular community.
In the FIR, Bhuyan refers to recent press statements made by Chief Minister Sarma, in which he allegedly asked people from Upper Assam to come to Guwahati and promised to clear the city of "Mias." These statements, widely available on social media, are seen as intended to create divisions among...
In a recent development, the Chief of Assam Trinamool Congress (TMC), Ripun Bora, has demanded urgent action against Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma. Bora's call comes after the Director General of Police (DGP) of Assam Police takes suo-motu cognisance of a Supreme Court order, WP(C) No. 943/2021 of Ashwini Kumar Upadhaya Vs. Union of India & ORS.
During a press conference held at the party's headquarters on Monday, Bora emphasized that CM Sarma's comments about the Miyan community constitute a "hate speech" and violate Section 153(A) of the IPC, as outlined in the order dated April 28, 2023, passed in WP(C) No. 943/2021. Bora further revealed that he has written a letter to...
Udalguri, Assam - In a devastating incident that took place today, Raju Keunt, a 47-year-old resident, lost his life after being trampled by a wild elephant at the Orangajuli tea garden. The unfortunate incident occurred under the jurisdiction of the Paneri police station in Udalguri district. Keunt was attempting to feed bananas to a group of wild elephants when the tragedy unfolded.
Eyewitnesses reported that Keunt had ventured close to the elephants, hoping to interact with them and feed them some bananas. Unfortunately, one of the elephants became agitated and charged at him, resulting in the fatal trampling. Despite the efforts of the tea garden workers and nearby residents to...
Chuachandpur's Rural Women Upliftment Society (RWUS) has stepped forward to provide assistance and relief to the grief-stricken family of Late David Hmar, who tragically lost his life on July 2, 2023. David was brutally beheaded by an armed mob during an attack on his village, Chinglangmei, located in the Samulamlan Block of Lamka.
The untimely demise of David has left his family devastated, especially considering their already precarious financial situation. David hails from an impoverished family, where his father is afflicted with Hemiparesis, a condition that has rendered him unable to work and provide for the family. As the sole breadwinner, David worked on a small farm, struggling...
In a bid to shape the future of climate action, indigenous communities and local Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Assam joined forces on June 30, 2023, for a community consultation on COP28, the 28th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Held at Rajputana Login, Jorhat, this event provided a vital platform for communities to express their concerns, contributions, and recommendations regarding the upcoming critical climate conference.
The consultation, organized by the North-East Affected Area Development Society (NEADS) and supported by various Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), aimed to ensure that community...
IIT Roorkee, in collaboration with astronomers from India, Japan, and Europe, has made a significant breakthrough in the study of gravitational waves. An international team of astronomers has recently published their findings in the Astronomy and Astrophysics journal, providing evidence of ultra-low frequency gravitational waves and shedding light on the humming of our universe.
Using some of the world's most sensitive radio telescopes, including India's largest telescope, uGMRT, the team monitored pulsars, which are rapidly rotating neutron stars, to detect these waves. The pulsars, acting as cosmic clocks, emitted radio beams that were analyzed for changes in arrival times caused by...
Add new comment