Echoes of My Mind

Eulogizing The Great Master Anwesa Mahanta Newer interpretations always find its way in the task of discerning and reviewing a higher ideal. Srimanta Sankaradeva (1449-1568), saint and preacher, poet and playwright, philosopher and reformer, artist and composer (“all rolled into one” as described by Vasudev Saran Agrawal), being the fountainhead of the Bhakti resurgence in Assam, is such a colossus. The magnanimous contributions by this great saint poet stand as a prism that reflects shades of newer horizons of thoughts providing thereby various scopes of insights on Vaisnava Renaissance in Assam. Be it in the field of social reformation, or in creating a new range of literary compositions or even in introducing a different interpretative medium of human expression, theatre, music and dance, the composer, splendidly left an indelible print of creative excellence. Indeed he has remained a ‘Master’ who brought a new change of direction in the society and elevated the life of the c...

Engulfing myriads of myths and phenomenal standing with hoary past and historic legacy, each Major Indian Dance tradition celebrates its rich histrionic artistry. Indeed, amidst the handful wonders of earth, Indian Classical Dance in its entirety holds a seat of glory in the global website of arts and aesthetics. And when an opportunity arrives to foray into this amazing world of art, we are left speechless by its grandeur. Needless it is to say, that I too underwent an experience of such a delight. The Avanthika National Dance Festival (a two day classical dance fest in Thrissur on 20th and 21st May last) with an aim to promoting the dance traditions as represented by the young minds, showcased the six forms of margi dance styles, including the Sattriya Dance from Assam. I was overwhelmed when the invitation to represent Sattriya tradition came to me. And looking forward to some great experiences of learning and understanding, I stepped into “God’s own Land”, Kerala. The trip was so r...

Anwesa Mahanta,Sattriya on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Anwesa Mahanta,Sattriya on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Anwesa Mahanta,Sattriya on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Anwesa Mahanta,Sattriya on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

The Hindu : Friday Review Thiruvananthapuram / Events : Celebrating the arts Fetes

The Hindu : Friday Review Thiruvananthapuram / Events : Celebrating the arts Fetes

The Hindu : Friday Review Delhi / Dance : World at your feet!

COMMENTS FROM THE ART CONNOISSEURS : MOMENTS OF INSPIRATION · “….spontaneous portrayal of tradition….” The ‘Amar Asom’, Guwahati · “….scintillating presentation with chiseled body movements and rare sense of rhythm and space….” The Assam Tribune, Guwahati · “….with her rich and sculpturesque footwork, Anwesa widened the vast possibilities of Sattriya Dance in terms of talasrayi and abhinaya compositions….” The Telegraph · “….a rare moment of joyful experience….” The ‘Goriyosi’ · “….with her light footed grace, animated face and eyes Anwesa Mahanta made a lively dancer….” The Hindu · “….Anwesa rendered the passage from Rukmini Haran with unsurpassed intensity of inner involvement….” The Hindu · “….An accomplished dancer, her excellent abhinaya and controlled nritya made her recital very special, particularly for one who was not yet twenty….There is clarity in her movement which is well-defined, stylized and elegant. There is sophistry not only in her nritta but also in her abhinaya. If ...

Performing Traditions of Assam and The Role of Sattras Anwesa Mahanta Assam, often described as a paradise for linguists and anthropologists, is a land replete with richness of ethnic diversity, as well as racial, socio-economic, religious, and artistic manifestations. With its proverbial plurality at all levels of human existence, this land, situated in the northeastern part of India, has contributed immensely towards the treasure and panoramic beauty of Indian Arts. Ranging from literary, plastic as well as performing, the heritage of Arts in Assam taking both synchronic and diachronic views encompasses an amorphous structure of cultural scenario. And hence a conceptual model to perceive and encapsulate these manifold realities of human aesthetic response becomes difficult. Transcending temporal conditions, several art forms have survived and continue to influence human existence in a socio-cultural atmosphere. Assam, being a land of diverse cultures comprising both tribal and non tr...

YouTube - Sattriya -Anwesha Mahanta