Ghanakanta Bora
Encyclopedia
'Bayanacharya Shri Ghanakanta Bora Muktiyar is one of the most eminent exponents and gurus of Sattriya Dance, a major Classical Dance Tradition of Assam
, India
. He is also a renowned instrumentalist, choreographer and author. He has won the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi
Award in 2001 .
(the famous river island of the Brahmaputra and also the seat of the Vaishnavite culture and learning of Assam). At the age of four, Shri Borah was brought to the Kamalabari Sattra
in Majuli as a sattra inmate. At the age of six, the child Ghanakanta started receiving training in Sattriya dance and music from the great exponent of the Vaishnavite tradition, Late Maniram Dutta Muktiyar Barbayan. Another renowned exponent of the tradition, Shri Raseswar Saikia Barbayan, taught him Natya (art of dancing), Bayan (art of playing Khul/Mridanga) and Ojapali (dance style). Shri Ghanakanta completed his training with distinction at an early age and was elevated as Barbayan (one of the principal artists in the sattra) at a very young age .
itself when he was selected as an "Adhyapak" (Guru) to coach and train the young pupils in the sattra. When the Kamalabari Sattra was being shifted due to frequent flooding of the Brahmaputra River, Shri Raseswar Saikia Barbayan brought him along to Guwahati
to showcase his emerging talent.
In 1971 he was appointed as the teacher of Sattriya dance at the Bishnupur Kala Kendra in Shillong
. In 1974 he was appointed as a teacher of Sattriya Dance and Bhaona in Sanakardeva Cultural Institute in New Delhi
which was established with the efforts of Late President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed
and Late Jogendra Nath Saikia, then Member of Parliament. He returned to Guwahati in 1975 and joined as a teacher of Sattriya dance when the Sangeet Sattra was established in Guwahati
.
In 1980 Shri Bora joined the State Music College, Assam as a teacher of Sattriya Dance and currently is settled in Guwahati. In 1987, he started his own institute called Sattriya Kala Kendra to impart training on Sattriya. The school has produced a group of young and talented performing artists from all over the world . Shri Bora has also established over 25 schools for training on Sattriya all over Assam.
Shri Bora has also performed extensively in various musical platforms, and festivals throughout the country . Shri Bora recently performed Sattriya Dance and played the Khol in 'Bharat Mahatsova' held in South East Asia, including Malaysia, Indonesia and Australia. He has collaborated with the Spic Macay for the past 6-7 years. Shri Ghanakanta Bora has also authored two books on Sattriya Dance: (i) Mati Akhora and (ii) Khol Sikhsa .
Today he is hailed as one of the foremost and eminent gurus of Sattriya dance, and is recognized as having played a vital role in popularizing this dance in its original form as practiced in the Sattras.
, New Delhi as "Guru" providing advanced training in Sattriya Dance and Khol. Shri Bora is also associated with a national level Sangeet Natak Akademi
project called "Onkia Bhaauna - RaamBijoy Naat" in Brojavoli dialect.
He was awarded the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2001 for his seminal contribution to Sattriya Dance . He is also the Honorary Director of Maniram Dutta Muktiyar Sattriya Kala Kendra, Guwahati. Shri Bora is also a trustee of Srimanta Foundation for Culture and Society, Guwahati.
At the age of 15, he attained the title of 'Barbayan' at Majuli Sattra
(The title of 'Barbayan' given by the Sattras is equivalent to the contemporary degree of Masters of Arts). In 2008, he was honored with the title of "Bayanacharya" which is the highest honor given by a Sattra
. Till date only two Sattriya Gurus have been honored with the title of Bayanacharya - Late Maniram Dutta Muktiyar Barbayan and Shri Ghanakanta Bora.
Assam
Assam , also, rarely, Assam Valley and formerly the Assam Province , is a northeastern state of India and is one of the most culturally and geographically distinct regions of the country...
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. He is also a renowned instrumentalist, choreographer and author. He has won the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi
Sangeet Natak Akademi
Sangeet Natak Akademi is the national level academy for performing arts set up by the Government of India.-History:...
Award in 2001 .
Early life
Shri Bora was born in 1950 in MajuliMajuli
200px|thumb|Way To Majuli From [[Jorhat]] City Majuli or Majoli is a large river island in the Brahmaputra river, in the Indian state of Assam...
(the famous river island of the Brahmaputra and also the seat of the Vaishnavite culture and learning of Assam). At the age of four, Shri Borah was brought to the Kamalabari Sattra
Sattra
Satras are socio-religious institutions in the Assam region of India that belong to the Mahapuruxiya Dharma. Monks, called bhakats, live in satras under a satradhikar. In some orders of the religion, the bhakats are celibate . The satras are not merely religious institutions but play cultural...
in Majuli as a sattra inmate. At the age of six, the child Ghanakanta started receiving training in Sattriya dance and music from the great exponent of the Vaishnavite tradition, Late Maniram Dutta Muktiyar Barbayan. Another renowned exponent of the tradition, Shri Raseswar Saikia Barbayan, taught him Natya (art of dancing), Bayan (art of playing Khul/Mridanga) and Ojapali (dance style). Shri Ghanakanta completed his training with distinction at an early age and was elevated as Barbayan (one of the principal artists in the sattra) at a very young age .
Career
His career began at the SattraSattra
Satras are socio-religious institutions in the Assam region of India that belong to the Mahapuruxiya Dharma. Monks, called bhakats, live in satras under a satradhikar. In some orders of the religion, the bhakats are celibate . The satras are not merely religious institutions but play cultural...
itself when he was selected as an "Adhyapak" (Guru) to coach and train the young pupils in the sattra. When the Kamalabari Sattra was being shifted due to frequent flooding of the Brahmaputra River, Shri Raseswar Saikia Barbayan brought him along to Guwahati
Guwahati
Guwahati, Pragjyotishpura in ancient Assam formerly known as Gauhati is a metropolis,the largest city of Assam in India and ancient urban area in North East India, with a population of 963,429. It is also the largest metropolitan area in north-eastern India...
to showcase his emerging talent.
In 1971 he was appointed as the teacher of Sattriya dance at the Bishnupur Kala Kendra in Shillong
Shillong
-Connectivity:Although well connected by road, Shillong has no rail connection and a proper air connection. Umroi Airport exists but has only limited flights.-Roadways:Shillong is well connected by roads with all major north eastern states...
. In 1974 he was appointed as a teacher of Sattriya Dance and Bhaona in Sanakardeva Cultural Institute in New Delhi
New Delhi
New Delhi is the capital city of India. It serves as the centre of the Government of India and the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi. New Delhi is situated within the metropolis of Delhi. It is one of the nine districts of Delhi Union Territory. The total area of the city is...
which was established with the efforts of Late President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed
Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed
Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed was the fifth President of India from 1974 to 1977.-Early life and background:Fakhruddin's grandfather, Khaliluddin Ali Ahmed, of Kacharighat near Golaghat, Assam, married in one of the families who were the relics of Emperor Aurangzeb's bid to conquer Assam Ahmed was born on...
and Late Jogendra Nath Saikia, then Member of Parliament. He returned to Guwahati in 1975 and joined as a teacher of Sattriya dance when the Sangeet Sattra was established in Guwahati
Guwahati
Guwahati, Pragjyotishpura in ancient Assam formerly known as Gauhati is a metropolis,the largest city of Assam in India and ancient urban area in North East India, with a population of 963,429. It is also the largest metropolitan area in north-eastern India...
.
In 1980 Shri Bora joined the State Music College, Assam as a teacher of Sattriya Dance and currently is settled in Guwahati. In 1987, he started his own institute called Sattriya Kala Kendra to impart training on Sattriya. The school has produced a group of young and talented performing artists from all over the world . Shri Bora has also established over 25 schools for training on Sattriya all over Assam.
Shri Bora has also performed extensively in various musical platforms, and festivals throughout the country . Shri Bora recently performed Sattriya Dance and played the Khol in 'Bharat Mahatsova' held in South East Asia, including Malaysia, Indonesia and Australia. He has collaborated with the Spic Macay for the past 6-7 years. Shri Ghanakanta Bora has also authored two books on Sattriya Dance: (i) Mati Akhora and (ii) Khol Sikhsa .
Today he is hailed as one of the foremost and eminent gurus of Sattriya dance, and is recognized as having played a vital role in popularizing this dance in its original form as practiced in the Sattras.
Awards and honors
He is currently the Head of the Department of Sattriya Music and Dance of the Government State College of Music, Assam. Apart from his associations with various cultural institutions, he is associated with the Project of Support to Sattriya Dance, and Dance Music, Sangeet Natak AkademiSangeet Natak Akademi
Sangeet Natak Akademi is the national level academy for performing arts set up by the Government of India.-History:...
, New Delhi as "Guru" providing advanced training in Sattriya Dance and Khol. Shri Bora is also associated with a national level Sangeet Natak Akademi
Sangeet Natak Akademi
Sangeet Natak Akademi is the national level academy for performing arts set up by the Government of India.-History:...
project called "Onkia Bhaauna - RaamBijoy Naat" in Brojavoli dialect.
He was awarded the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2001 for his seminal contribution to Sattriya Dance . He is also the Honorary Director of Maniram Dutta Muktiyar Sattriya Kala Kendra, Guwahati. Shri Bora is also a trustee of Srimanta Foundation for Culture and Society, Guwahati.
At the age of 15, he attained the title of 'Barbayan' at Majuli Sattra
Sattra
Satras are socio-religious institutions in the Assam region of India that belong to the Mahapuruxiya Dharma. Monks, called bhakats, live in satras under a satradhikar. In some orders of the religion, the bhakats are celibate . The satras are not merely religious institutions but play cultural...
(The title of 'Barbayan' given by the Sattras is equivalent to the contemporary degree of Masters of Arts). In 2008, he was honored with the title of "Bayanacharya" which is the highest honor given by a Sattra
Sattra
Satras are socio-religious institutions in the Assam region of India that belong to the Mahapuruxiya Dharma. Monks, called bhakats, live in satras under a satradhikar. In some orders of the religion, the bhakats are celibate . The satras are not merely religious institutions but play cultural...
. Till date only two Sattriya Gurus have been honored with the title of Bayanacharya - Late Maniram Dutta Muktiyar Barbayan and Shri Ghanakanta Bora.