SHRUTI TALKS GIRL POWER And her connection with female characters
Monks regularly come to sit quietly in the Namghar and read from ancient scriptures or sing prayers in chorus.
One of the main satras in Majuli is the Kamalabari Satra established by Padma Ata (1595-1625). It is a spiritual centre for Vaishnavities, and keeps alive the music, dance and art traditions of the sect. The monks learn music and dance as part of Bhakti or prayer, and sing and dance in the praise of Govinda, reciting stories from his life.
It is indeed remarkable that these traditions have not only survived over centuries but have flourished and are now recognized and respected the world over. Some of the monks we met during our visit have performed in USA and Europe, besides many parts of India. Their dance performances are carefully choreographed and traditional instruments like the Mridongo, Nagara, Dhol (different kinds of drums) and Bihutal and Bhortal (metal instruments) are used.
While in most of the satras the monks are celibate and do not marry, the Shamaguri Satra, best known for its mask-making tradition, is an exception. Its members follow Grihastha dharma they marry and continue to carry on their traditions.
Talking of masks, they play an important role in the dance dramas based on mythology. Our soft-spoken host, the famous artist Hema Chandra Goswami, donned a mask of an evil character, and immediately his body language and voice changed, sending chills down our spine and giving us a first-hand experience of the effect of these props. These satras in Majuli are not just centres for Vaishnavaite traditions, they are an important aspect of Assamese culture and a great example of how tourism can help revive dying art forms and help in the sustainable growth of local communities.
These satras in Majuli are not just centres for Vaishnavaite traditions, they are an important aspect of Assamese culture and a great example of how tourism can help revive dying art forms
— The author is a writer and travel photographer