Barbayan Endured Popularity of ‘Sattriya’ by Spreading its Vibes to France

If not have touched the vibes of the international artists of France then Mukhya Adhyapak Paramananda Barbayan’s gigantic task to endure Guru Sankardeva’s ‘Sattriya’ dance art by resonating it to the international taste would not have been possible.

It is with great hardship guru Paramananda Barbayan had claimed to the high strata in the art and culture world, elevating the traditional style of Sattriya dance art to international level. But in this journey to bring alive Sankardeva’s ‘Sattriya’ dance art to international exposure, Adhyapak Barbayan never forgets to give his gratitude to the three France tourists inclined in arts and culture.  Barbayan fondly reminiscences the contribution made by the French artists to capture and display his performances to the Association for Research and Traditions in Acting, Paris known as Theatre Du Soleil and Musee Du Quai Branly.

This Sangeet Natak Academy Award revered, Mukhya Adhyapak Barbayan had to amalgamate with modern fusion the traditional Sattriya dance to appeal  mass participants due to which he had to undertake the big challenge to appease the purist’s critical remarks. To set the spark of ‘Sattriya’ dance to the international level and endure it in the modern race that has fast overpowered the traditional values, diversifying the younger generation to a new outlook.

Majuli Satra where Barbayan took the route to Srimanta Sankardeva's dharma was the first generation to conduct Sattriya workshops along with his team in abroad. France was the first international cultural venture to introduce Sattriya dance through Barbayan's team of performers from Assam. Remarkable international 'Sattriya Nirtya' journey of Barbayan with his captivating performances included Evora, Portugal, ‘Festival Les Orientais,’ France, ‘Festival De Musique Sacree, ‘˜Festival International De Folklore’, ‘Festival Les Orientales, ‘Uzes,’ ‘Saint Florent Le Vieil,’ ‘Le Puy-en-Velay,’ ‘Abbaye De Sylvane,’ ‘Festival Interfolk,’

‘Festival Autres Rivages’ and  ‘Issoire.’

The major comeback of Barbayan in France was in 2010 when in Paris he conducted 'Sattriya' at Muse du Quai Branly and Rencontres de la Danse Indienne in 2011. Master in Sankardeva’s traditional art and culture, Barbayan had a greater quality to interact and promote his state's values. An exponent speaker won't be wrong to say about Barbayan as he had conducted multiple lecture sessions, workshops and master classes in global platform like Paris, Montpellier, Toulouse, Rodez and Uzas within the span of 2009 to 2011.

Guru Barbayan had additional quality to make research on the Vindaravani Vastra at National Museum of Asian Arts Guimet, Paris and explore ARTA Performing Arts Tradition Research Institute of Theatre du Soleil,' Paris and VIII University at Artistic science department in Paris to reinvent Sattriya (Dance, Drama and Music) and present in international flavor.

Like Kathak and Bharatnatyam now due to Barbayan’s contribution and dedication has made Sattriya art popular not only beyond Assam but made it heard globally, driving students from France, Mexico, Iran, US and Brazil . In his aggressive attempt to garner more participants and students to leverage this devotional dance art in worldwide, Barbayan highlighted, “I want to take this art to the world, having taught more than 1,500 students.”