Sattriya

It is also known as Sattriya Nritya. It is originated from Assam in the 15th century with Bhakti movement scholar and saint named Srimanta Sankardev. These plays are usually performed in the dance community halls of monastery temples. The themes of this play are related to Radha and Krishna, and also other Vishnu avatars like Rama and Sita. It is performed as a group dance and also as a solo dance. There as two types of costumes: the male costumes are combined with the dhoti and chadar and the paguri (turban) and female costumes comprising of ghuri, chadar, Kanchi (waist cloth). The costumes, traditionally, were in raw silk color or red color with the use of red, blue and yellow for specific dance numbers. Previously, velvet and satin material was used but later the material was changed. The silk produced in Assam is known as "Pat" from the mulberry plant and a golden silk of Assam called "Muga" is used for preparing costumes, with hand woven local matifs like kingkhap, Miri Motif, kolka, etc. The jewelry used are made in unique technique in raw gold (Kasa Sun), Kopali on forehead, Muthi Kharu and Gam Kharu (bracelets), various neck pieces like, for male dancers, "Mata Moni", Golpata Dhulbiricc(shaped like musical instrument dhol), Bena (pendant shaped like crescent), Jethipata (lizard-shaped), Dugdugi (leaf shaped), Senpata 9eagle shaped), Dhansira (rice grain shape), Lokaparo (pigeon design). Earrings are similarly made and also Thuka Suna and Keru are worn by the dancers. Female dancers wear white flowers in the hair.