For the first time in history, Assam’s Sattriya culture will be featured at the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 in Prayagraj. A 40-member team from the Aauniati Satra in Majuli will present traditional Sattriya dance, music, and drama, offering a unique window into the state’s spiritual and artistic heritage.
The performances will include Ram Vijay Bhaona, a devotional play by Srimanta Sankaradeva, Diha Nam (congregational singing), and the Apsara Dance, accompanied by traditional Borgeet and instruments like the khol, cymbals, flute, violin, and dotara. The team will also perform both masculine (Paurashik Bhangi) and feminine (Stri Bhangi) dance styles, showcasing the art form’s depth and diversity.
Sattriya, recognized as one of India’s classical dance forms in 2000, was introduced by Srimanta Sankaradeva in the 15th century as a devotional means of spreading Lord Krishna’s teachings through dance, drama, and music. The performances at the Kumbh Mela will reflect the rich storytelling and spiritual themes central to Sattriya.
Pitambar Dev Goswami, Satradhikar of Aauniati Satra, expressed pride in representing Assam’s cultural legacy on such a prestigious platform. The team will be in Prayagraj from January 31 to February 10, 2025, and will also conduct a Bhagawat reading. This participation marks a significant milestone for Assam, allowing it to share its cultural traditions with a global audience at the sacred Kumbh Mela, which will take place from January 13 to February 26, 2025.
