Auniati Satrat Geetar Taal receives publication grant THE ASSAM TRIBUNE — TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2003

 

Auniati Satrat Geetar Taal receives publication grant

THE ASSAM TRIBUNE — TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2003

From Sanjoy Barkataki

JORHAT, Sept 15 — At a time when, Majuli Island Protection and Development Council members synergize with likeminded individuals for wresting World Heritage Site status from the Paris-based UNESCO, nearer home in Guwahati, engineer Dilip Changkakoty has received publication grant of Rs 60,000 from the Sangeet Natak Akademi for his voluminous work entitled Auniati Satrat Geetar Taal.

“To be released in two equal installments, the grant has been offered to specifically take care of paper, printing, designing and incidental costs not exceeding 20 per cent of the allotted amount,” an obviously elated Changkakoty informed this scribe telephonically. “A recent letter of sanction from the New Delhi-based Akademi mentions that validity of the grant expires on March 31next year,” the researcher added. “Embodying the first part of a four-fold procedure, the work includes identification, compilation, documentation and publication of rhythm (taal) used in songs at the Satra under reference,” he said.

“Despite gayan-bayans being living exponents of the Vaishnavite culture, their demise over the years have invariably led to loss of valuable information associated with song, dance, rhythm and other technical traits peculiar to the satras. Minus scientific documentation, that is.” Citing an instance, Sri Changkakoty recalled the loss of dasakosi taal at the Auniati Satra, which can definitely be attributed to such a cause. “Memory lapse on the part of the exponents, besides gradual decay within the monasteries has also been responsible for endangering the Satrat Geetar Taal receives pub pristine characteristics, as also the quintessence of Sankari culture.”

Having till date documented 37 taals, Sri Changkakoty is also credited with salvaging pancham-sweari, garh-khemta, thangri, aarjati and jotaals from the brink of obscurity. He has also undertaken an in-depth analytical assessment and conducted a comparative study on the definition and usage of taals with reference to the 250-year-old Vadyapradip of yadupati, as per his own revelation. The material of his research find incorporation in his work, which is presently awaiting publication.

The second phase will involve compilation, documentation and publication of rhythm found in dance and bhaona, both indigenous to the Satra, and also otherwise. The latter will again encompass bhaona in namghars, as well as in the stage beyond.

Similarly, the third phase will concentrate on the rhythm of ojapali, whereas the fourth and final phase will involve Paal naam, Hiya naam, and so on.

It would not be out of place to mention here that pioneering work on this front was first initiated by the forefathers of Sri Changkakoty four generations ago. In 1994, Satriya research worker late Keshav Changkakoty, who happened to be the father of the former, first took up the assignment on the advice of the then Auniati Satradhikar Sri Sri Vishnu Chandra Deva Goswami. His successor and the present Satradhikar Dr Pitambar Deva Goswami too has contributed in the endeavour by deputing a bhgkat (follower/devotee) as resource person since June 1998.

Sri Changkakoty’s documentation rhythm concerning bhaona performed in namghars has been actively assisted by Maheswar Borbayan, Madhav Bayan and Badan Bayan, besides Basudev Borgayan, Binod Khound and ojha Gopal Kalita of North Guwahati. They have all helped in the notification of rhythm of borgeet and songs pertaining to Auniati Satra.

Further, an analytical and comparative study on the rhythms of Kamalabari, Samaguri, Barpeta, Sravani of Kaliabor and auniati satras, in reference to Vadyapradip of Yadupati, have since been completed by late Keshav Changkakoty, and subsequently translated into moder script by the former's son.

With jubilee celebrations just round the corner at Teok Koliapani here to. Commemorate Auniati Satra’s 350 glorious years of existence, timely release of the treatise containing the documented materials therefore assumes great significance.