Question 1594

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

Answer

Sattriya

Why?

The correct answer is Sattriya 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.