'Sattriya is my home, it is where I truly belong'

Q: You won the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar this year. This is your first award. Does it make you feel more confident?
A: It is a special award but getting awards has not been my goal as a dancer. However, to be recognised nationally, and that too by the Sangeet Natak Akademi, means a lot to me as it has given me a new identity. It has strengthened my resolve to achieve what I have planned for the future.Yes the award has renewed my confidence.
Q: There was a tradition of Sattriya in your home. Did it inspire you?
A: I started training in Sattriya when I was in Class III or IV. Hailing from a family with strong links to the Sattra traditions, it came to be naturally. Besides, my father actively participated in religious and cultural activities. My parents also wanted me to take up this dance. My maternal grandparents' house is located right in front of the historic 'Barechahariya Bhaona' and I have never missed an event since childhood.
Sattriya is my home, it is where I belong.
Q: Sattriya and Manipuri dance are the only dance forms which date back to centuries and are still a living tradition...
A: I am very grateful to the monks in the Sattras who have selflessly preserved this art form for so many centuries. Although the recognition came very late (in 2000), due to reasons beyond our control, the efforts of Maniram Dutta Mukhtiyar Borbayan, Roseswar Saikia Borbayan, Bhupen Hazarika and the Sangeet Natak Akademi must be acknowledged.
As Indians, we must thank them for giving the country another tradition of dance. But, at the same time, I would hate to call it a recognition because in my opinion such age-old traditions need no recognition. I would like to see it as a platform which brought Sattriya to the world.
Q: Is the dance form popular outside Assam?
A: Sattriya has a huge fan following outside the state and the country. Many NRIs and foreigners are showing interest in the dance form.
A student of mine from Japan stayed with us for about six months. I have also been involved in the teaching of the philosophy of Mahapurush Srimanta Sankaradeva and the dance to 10 students from France, China, Canada, Spain and Germany.
Sattriya is a break from the regular and popular Hindustani and Carnatic music. It is something that people don't hear and see often. The novelty of the dance form attracts many. The media can play a huge role in making Sattriya dance popular. It would give Assam a new identity globally.
Q: As an artist, do you feel art and culture can play a role in bringing people together?
A: This is exactly what I am working on in my M Phil dissertation. Culture can play a remarkable role in uniting people and forging better relations. In an era of economic interdependence, culture is the best way to build bridges of understanding and promote trust, peace and harmony. It is one of the strongest and most potent tools of contemporary times. India has huge soft power resources and it should make use of them.
So far, the use of culture to build better relations with countries and people has been limited. India is a great civilisation and it should definitely make use of its rich and popular culture.
In a country like India with such diversity, freedom cannot be unbound. The freedom to stretch my hand should only be such that it does not transform into a slap. Similarly, freedom of expression should be to the extent that it does not impact someone's personal life, liberty and overall well-being.