With reference to the famous Sattriya dance, consider the following statements: 1. Sattriya is a combination of music, dance and drama 2. It is a centuries-old living tradition of Vaishnavites of Assam 3. It is based on classical Ragas and Talas of devotional songs composed by Tulsidas, Kabir and Mirabai Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Contents15
- A1 only
- B1 and 2 only
- C2 and 3 only
- D1, 2 and 3
Show answer
Answer: (B) 1 and 2 only
Sattriya is a classical dance form from Assam, recognised by Sangeet Natak Akademi in 2000.
Key facts:
Statement 1 — CORRECT: It combines music, dance, and drama (like most Indian classical forms).
Statement 2 — CORRECT: It is a centuries-old Vaishnavite tradition, practised in 'Sattras' (Vaishnavite monasteries) of Assam, founded by the saint Srimanta Sankardeva (15th century).
Statement 3 — WRONG: The music is based on 'Borgeets' (devotional songs composed by Sankardeva and Madhavdeva), NOT by Tulsidas, Kabir, or Mirabai — those saints belong to the North Indian Bhakti tradition.
Trap alert: UPSC mixes up Bhakti saints from different regions.
Sattriya became the eighth classical dance form when Sangeet Natak Akademi recognized it in 2000, making it exam-relevant as the newest addition to India's classical dance traditions.
The question tests regional specificity by mixing North Indian Bhakti saints (Tulsidas, Kabir, Mirabai) with an Assamese tradition that actually uses compositions by Sankardeva and Madhavdeva.
Sattriya Dance - Classical Form
Art And Culture Sattriya dance music, dance and drama
Sattriya Dance: Assam's Classical Form & Recognition
8th classical dance form recognized by Sangeet Natak Akademi in 2000
Combines music, dance and drama in performance
Originated from Sattras (Vaishnavite monasteries) of Assam
Founded by Srimanta Sankardeva in 15th century
What is Sattriya
Sattriya is a classical dance form from Assam that integrates music, dance, and drama into a single performance. It became the 8th recognized classical dance when the Sangeet Natak Akademi granted it classical status in 2000.
Classical Dance Forms of India
Dance Form | State/Region | Recognition Year | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
Bharatanatyam | Tamil Nadu | Ancient | Temple dance, solo |
Kathak | North India | Ancient | Storytelling, spins |
Kathakali | Kerala | Ancient | Elaborate makeup, drama |
Kuchipudi | Andhra Pradesh | Ancient | Dance-drama, brass plate |
Odissi | Odisha | Ancient | Tribhanga posture |
Manipuri | Manipur | Ancient | Soft movements, devotional |
Mohiniyattam | Kerala | Ancient | Graceful, feminine |
Sattriya | Assam | 2000 | Vaishnavite, monastery-based |
Statement 3 trap: Sattriya uses Sankardeva's Borgeets, NOT songs by Tulsidas/Kabir/Mirabai
UPSC mixes regional Bhakti saints - Sankardeva is from Assam, others from North India
Don't confuse recognition year 2000 with ancient origin - form itself is centuries old
Vaishnavite Tradition in Assam
Art And Culture Vaishnavites of Assam centuries-old living tradition
Assam's Vaishnavite Tradition: Sattras & Cultural Heritage
Srimanta Sankardeva founded Neo-Vaishnavite movement in 15th century
Sattras are Vaishnavite monasteries where Sattriya developed
Living tradition - still practiced in Assam's Sattras today
Madhavdeva was Sankardeva's chief disciple
Neo-Vaishnavism in Assam
Srimanta Sankardeva (1449-1568) founded the Neo-Vaishnavite movement in Assam, establishing Sattras (monasteries) as centers of worship, learning, and cultural practice. This movement created a centuries-old living tradition that continues today.
Development of Sattriya
%%{init: {"flowchart": {"wrappingWidth": 460}}}%%
flowchart TD
s1["`**15th Century**
**Srimanta Sankardeva** starts Neo-Vaishnavite movement`"]
s2["`**Sattras Established**
Monasteries become centers of **devotional practice**`"]
s3["`**Cultural Integration**
**Music, dance, drama** combined for worship`"]
s4["`**Sattriya Emerges**
Distinct dance form develops in monastery settings`"]
s5["`**Living Tradition**
**Continues** in Assam's Sattras to present day`"]
s1 --> s2
s2 --> s3
s3 --> s4
s4 --> s5Sattra Culture Elements
# Sattra (Monastery)
## Performing Arts
- Sattriya Dance
- Borgeet Songs
- Bhaona Drama
- Ojapali Folk
## Literature
- Borgeet Compositions
- Religious Texts
- Dramatic Works
## Religious Practice
- Krishna Worship
- Community Prayers
- Festivals
## Social Role
- Cultural Preservation
- Education Center
- Community HubBorgeets & Sankardeva's Musical Legacy
Art And Culture classical Ragas and Talas devotional songs Tulsidas, Kabir and Mirabai
Borgeets: Sankardeva's Devotional Music vs North Indian Saints
Borgeets are devotional songs by Sankardeva and Madhavdeva
Sattriya dance uses Borgeets, NOT songs by Tulsidas/Kabir/Mirabai
240 Borgeets composed by Sankardeva, 191 by Madhavdeva
Written in Brajavali language (mix of Assamese, Maithili, Bengali)
The Borgeet Tradition
Borgeets (literally 'great songs') are the devotional compositions that form the musical foundation of Sattriya dance. These were composed by Srimanta Sankardeva and his disciple Madhavdeva in the 15th-16th centuries.
Bhakti Saints: Regional Distribution
Saint | Region | Century | Language | Musical Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Srimanta Sankardeva | Assam | 15th-16th | Brajavali | 240 Borgeets |
Madhavdeva | Assam | 15th-16th | Brajavali | 191 Borgeets |
Tulsidas | North India (UP) | 16th | Awadhi | Ramcharitmanas |
Kabir | North India | 15th | Hindi | Kabir Dohe |
Mirabai | Rajasthan | 16th | Rajasthani/Hindi | Bhajans |
Borgeet Characteristics
Based on classical ragas like Bilawal, Kalyan, and Kamaj
Use specific talas (rhythm patterns) suitable for dance
Themes center on Krishna's life and Vaishnavite philosophy
Performed during religious ceremonies in Sattras
Essential component of Bhaona (Assamese religious drama)
Major trap: Don't mix Assamese saints (Sankardeva/Madhavdeva) with North Indian saints (Tulsidas/Kabir/Mirabai)
Remember: Borgeets are specific to Assam, not pan-Indian devotional music
Regional specificity matters - each Bhakti movement had its own musical traditions
Bhakti Saints & Regional Traditions
Art And Culture Tulsidas, Kabir and Mirabai
Bhakti Saints: Regional Distribution & Literary Contributions
Tulsidas, Kabir, Mirabai belong to North Indian Bhakti tradition
Each region developed distinct devotional traditions with local saints
Sankardeva represents Assamese Neo-Vaishnavism, separate from North Indian movement
Saints composed in their regional languages, not universal traditions
Regional Bhakti Movements
The Bhakti movement was not uniform across India - different regions developed distinct traditions with their own saints, languages, and musical forms. UPSC often tests confusion between regional traditions.
Major Bhakti Saints by Region
Region | Major Saints | Language | Key Works | Century |
|---|---|---|---|---|
North India | Tulsidas, Kabir, Surdas | Hindi/Awadhi | Ramcharitmanas, Dohe | 15th-16th |
Rajasthan | Mirabai | Rajasthani/Hindi | Bhajans | 16th |
Assam | Sankardeva, Madhavdeva | Brajavali | Borgeets | 15th-16th |
Bengal | Chaitanya | Bengali | Devotional Songs | 15th-16th |
Maharashtra | Tukaram, Namdev | Marathi | Abhangas | 13th-17th |
South India | Tyagaraja, Purandaradasa | Telugu/Kannada | Kirtanas | 15th-18th |
North vs Northeast Bhakti
# Bhakti Traditions
## North Indian
- Tulsidas (UP)
- Kabir (UP)
- Mirabai (Rajasthan)
- Hindi/Awadhi language
## Assamese
- Sankardeva
- Madhavdeva
- Borgeets
- Brajavali language
## Common Elements
- Krishna devotion
- Social reform
- Vernacular literature
- Musical tradition
## Key Differences
- Language
- Regional customs
- Musical forms
- Literary styleDon't mix regions: Tulsidas/Kabir/Mirabai are North Indian, Sankardeva is Assamese
Language trap: Each saint composed in their regional language, not pan-Indian tradition
Musical specificity: Each region's dance/music uses its own saints' compositions, not others