Birmingham: Guwahati-born, London-based dancer Anannya Mahanta showcased Assam’s Sattriya and Bihu at India’s 80th Independence Day celebrations organised by the Consulate General of India in Birmingham.
Invited to present Assam’s cultural heritage, Mahanta performed before dignitaries, members of the Indian diaspora, students and friends of India from across the Midlands and North of England.
She opened with Sattriya, presenting movements based on different talas and rhythmic patterns, along with a brief abhinaya segment. She then shifted to Bihu, incorporating traditional elements such as the jaapi and toka into the energetic performance.
The transition from Sattriya’s classical movements to Bihu’s vibrant folk expressions offered the audience an insight into Assam’s diverse performing arts. The performance received cheers and applause.
A member of the International Dance Council, UNESCO, Paris, Mahanta is a certified artist under the Ministry of Culture, a Prasar Bharati graded artist and an empanelled artist with SPIC MACAY. She also holds a double diploma in Sattriya.
The celebrations began with Vande Mataram, followed by the hoisting of the National Flag by Consul General Dr Venkatachalam Murugan. West Midlands Lord-Lieutenant Derrick Anderson CBE and Birmingham Lord Mayor Councillor Zaker Choudhry MBE also extended greetings to the Indian community.
More than 150 participants from across the UK attended the celebrations, which highlighted India’s cultural diversity and its ties with the Indian diaspora. Mahanta’s performance brought Assam’s Sattriya and Bihu to the centre of the celebrations in Birmingham.
