Which of the following dances developed in the monasteries of Assam?

Key Points

• Sattriya is a classical dance form that originated in the monasteries of Assam.
• It was introduced by the Vaishnavite saint Sankardeva in the 15th century as a medium for religious expression and storytelling.
• The dance form is an integral part of the Sattras (monastic institutions) and was traditionally performed by male monks known as Bhakats.
• Sattriya dance includes various elements such as nritta (pure dance), nritya (expressive dance), and natya (dramatic elements).
• In 2000, Sattriya was recognized as one of the eight classical dance forms of India by the Sangeet Natak Akademi.

Additional Information

• Sattriya dance is characterized by its use of hand gestures (mudras), footwork (padas), and facial expressions (abhinaya).
• The costumes typically include traditional Assamese attire with elaborate jewelry and headgear.
• Music accompanying Sattriya dance is based on classical ragas and is performed using traditional instruments like the khol (drum), taals (cymbals), and flute.
• Over time, Sattriya has evolved and is now performed by both men and women on various cultural platforms.