Kashinath Krishnapriya Institute of Performing Arts (KKIPA), Tezpur, Assam promotes India's Sattriya and Odissi Dance styles. Based in Tezpur's interior regions, they try their best to maintain the balance between the local and elite traditions.
Sattriya is the classical dance form of Assam, which was recognised much later, compared to the other Indian classical dance forms by the Sangeet Natak Academy. Sattriya is a dance form that is more than 500 years old and comes from the Vaishnavite monasteries of Assam, northeast India. The monastery, Uttar Kamalabari Satra on Asia’s largest island of Majuli on the Brahmaputra River, became regionally famous as a centre for this religious art.
The institute based in the village named Kalibari near the banks of river Brahmaputra believes that irrespective of the lesser exposure and opportunities, the children should be given quality training as a lot of them have taken up this as their profession. Many have performed on regional and national level platforms, attained the title of graded artists from Doordarshan, and Government scholarships from the Ministry of Culture.
The Director of the institute Dr Madhurima Goswami has been imparting training to students through workshops from exponents, training on different folk dances, literature, music, art of storytelling, etc with the limited resources they have.
When asked how they feel learning something so not mainstream and that does not match the societal standards of a stable profession, the students said they feel at home here and would want to balance their profession with their artistic journeys, as it is a part of their lifestyle now.
Hailing from small villages, their dedication and commitment to understanding culture and carrying the legacy forward at such a young age is commendable. Support and encouragement are crucial for individuals like Dr Goswami, who recognises the significance of talent and ensures that it doesn’t go to waste amid challenging circumstances.
Also Read: Have you seen these traditional Indian dances yet?
Prachi Sharma is an Officer at Village Square. She is also a performance artist who believes that art is a transformative medium that can challenge societal norms. She is an alumnus of KKIPA.
