Sattriya Dance Company, Performing in Celebration of Hope
Sattriya Dance Company…
is a labor of love for sisters-in-law Madhusmita Bora and Prerona Bhuyan. The Philadelphia-based company's mission is to preserve, promote and document Sattriya, a 15th century classical Indian dance from the Vaishnav monasteries of Assam.
Traditionally, Sattriya — which was developed within the Krishna-worshipping, all-male monasteries of Assam — excluded them. Women could not even enter the prayer halls where these dances were performed.
Since the mid-20th century, though, a growing number of monks have begun to teach Sattriya in Assamese towns and cities, and as far as Delhi; three of the performers in the group traveling to New York now live and teach outside the monastery. In a surprising twist, many students have been women.
—-New York Times, April 2018
An Interview With Madhusmita Bora of Sattriya Dance Company
We are thrilled that you are supporting Hindus for Human Rights. Why do you see our organization as important?
As someone born and raised with the philosophy, I am deeply concerned with the hijacking of the ideals of Hinduism by a fascist regime. We need a progressive group to:
1. Reclaim the social, political and community space from an authoritarian and a majoritarian ideology;
2. Prevent minoritization of people; and
3. To reject the politics of conflict and hate.
What are your biggest concerns when it comes to India?
My biggest concerns are the minoritization of a population, the spread of intolerance and islamophobia, the violence against Dalit bodies, and the effort to homogenize the nation and disenfranchise indigenous and minority populations.
Please tell us about a moment when you took a stand on human rights even though it was dangerous.
As a person from Assam, it has been important for me to be actively involved in actions against the CAA here in the US. I have stood alongside other minority groups, which includes us, in the US.
What is your message to young Indian Americans?
Our culture is strong and deep. To carry forward our heritage we don't need to demonize or delegitimize others.
