Matiakhora
Mati-Akhora- Foundation of Sattriya Dance By Dr. Mallika Kandali
All classical dance traditions of India have evolved for themselves a structural pattern or grammar, whether oral or written, for its sustenance and transmission. The Sattriya dance also, as an enduring tradition, has over the centuries as stated earlier, developed a structural grammar of its own. That structural grammar, which is the foundation of Sattriya dance, is called “Mati-Akhora”. These Mati-Akhoras are the basic exercise patterns, also considered as the basic grammatical forms of Sattriya dance and on the basis of these forms, the structure of the Sattriya dance has been designed. With the use of these exercise patterns various dance poses are created, and combining all those poses in different patterns, different dance numbers have been composed. In Assamese, generally Mati-Akhora means exercise done on the ground. The Sattriya dance training begins with these Mati-Akhoras. After completion of all the Mati-Akhoras, the dancer can be taught the individual dance numbers of Sattriya. Mati-Akhoras are foundation for the learners to make a healthy physical, mental and spiritual set-up which is very necessary for a classical dancer. It is worth mentioning that some of these Mati-Akhoras are similar with some yogic postures or asana (based on yoga Shastra), which help the learners to maintain a physical and mental discipline. For example - “chakrasan” of yoga is similar with the thiyo lon of Mati-Akhora, which helps to make the back strong and the body light, which is essential for the dancer. Again “dhanurasan” is similar with the jur kamitona of Mati-Akhora, which makes the body active, strengthen the thaighs and help to remove extra fats from belly areas. Besides these many Mati-Akhoras have yogic quality which help the learners to shape their body from all sides. It is worth mentioning that Mahapurush Sankaradeva, the architect of
All classical dance traditions of India have evolved for themselves a structural pattern or grammar, whether oral or written, for its sustenance and transmission. The Sattriya dance also, as an enduring tradition, has over the centuries as stated earlier, developed a structural grammar of its own. That structural grammar, which is the foundation of Sattriya dance, is called “Mati-Akhora”. These Mati-Akhoras are the basic exercise patterns, also considered as the basic grammatical forms of Sattriya dance and on the basis of these forms, the structure of the Sattriya dance has been designed. With the use of these exercise patterns various dance poses are created, and combining all those poses in different patterns, different dance numbers have been composed. In Assamese, generally Mati-Akhora means exercise done on the ground. The Sattriya dance training begins with these Mati-Akhoras. After completion of all the Mati-Akhoras, the dancer can be taught the individual dance numbers of Sattriya. Mati-Akhoras are foundation for the learners to make a healthy physical, mental and spiritual set-up which is very necessary for a classical dancer. It is worth mentioning that some of these Mati-Akhoras are similar with some yogic postures or asana (based on yoga Shastra), which help the learners to maintain a physical and mental discipline. For example - “chakrasan” of yoga is similar with the thiyo lon of Mati-Akhora, which helps to make the back strong and the body light, which is essential for the dancer. Again “dhanurasan” is similar with the jur kamitona of Mati-Akhora, which makes the body active, strengthen the thaighs and help to remove extra fats from belly areas. Besides these many Mati-Akhoras have yogic quality which help the learners to shape their body from all sides. It is worth mentioning that Mahapurush Sankaradeva, the architect of