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Sattriya Dance

From Voices 10 November 2014

Indian music, food and dance lit up Wellington at Diwali recently when a renowned dance troupe from northeast India helped celebrate the annual Diwali Festival of Lights.

Sattriya is one of India’s eight classical dance forms. The Sattriya dance form was originally created in the 15th century for performance in monasteries in Assam. Previously only men could perform but now it is widely practiced amongst men and women throughout India.

Children prepare to perform at Diwali festival, Wellington

Deities depicted, Diwali festival of lights

Diwali explained in the Hindi school tent

A child in costume performs for Diwali

Children in costume, performing in the Diwali festival, TSB Arena, Wellington

Dr Bora's mother Indira PP Bora was one of first to practise Sattriya

Dr Bora explains Sattriya dance to the audience

Dr Menaka Bora explains gesture to the audience

Closing the crocodile's jaws

Emphasising waves, the sea

Universal hand gestures, animal shapes

Captivated by Dr Bora's performance

The troupe perform Sattriya

The Sattriya dance troupe

MC's and children during Diwali at the TSB Arena, Wellington

Henna painting

He's cooler - Bhangra MC Magic during Diwali

Precious stones set in gold

Spontaneous dancing from Sikh youth during Diwali

Director of Culture, Asia New Zealand Foundation, Jennifer King

The images in this gallery are used with permission and are subject to copyright conditions.