Being among the seven elite across India to be nominated as a member of the dance advisory committee to the Sangeet Natak Akademi, Delhi, and the first to represent Sattriya dance in the panel, is one of the many honours that Sharodi Saikia?s dedication to the dance form has brought her. However, for Saikia, the growing popularity of Sattriya is her real reward.

Saikia, who learnt various dance forms in her formative years, found her calling in Sattriya.

?The Sangeet Natak Akademi promotes various forms of classical and folk dances of India,? informs Saikia.

?It is more of an intellectual exercise where eminent dance exponents and critics sit together to bring the rich classical dances of India to the forefront.? She is also one of the members of the general council of Sangeet Natak Akademi.

Having grown up in the cultural hub of Assam, Jorhat, Saikia was sent to a dancing school by her mother when she was only five. ?Since that very first instance when I first swayed my body to a dancing mudra, till now, my comforting moments are on a stage where I unfold myself through various dance movements,? she reflects.

?My first lesson was in Manipuri dance under guru Rathin Singh, then I learned Kathak, followed by Sattriya dance, where at present all my energies are concentrated,? she says.

?As a teenager I was completely in love with Kathak, but after moving to Guwahati for higher studies, my father took me to my great guru Roseswar Saikia Barbayan.? And for the past 32 years she has been performing and spreading the beauty of the rich Sattriya to her soul?s content. Saikia is also a talented sitar player.

Equally good in studies, she got a first class in post-graduation in zoology from Cotton College, Guwahati, and later joined Bahona College in Jorhat, where she taught for eight years. With a diploma in educational planning and administration under her belt, Saikia is also the deputy director in the directorate of higher education, Assam, Kahilipara.

Married to Dhruba Jyoti Borah, a literatteur and professor of medicine in Gauhati Medical College, Saikia feels indebted to her husband for his unfailing support. ?After I left my parents? house, my husband took utmost care to build my career as a danseuse,? she says. ?My husband has a great contribution in encouraging me to carry on my passion of dance and together we have a home of happiness and joy.?

A dedicated dancer with consummate knowledge of Sattriya dance, her contribution to the dance form is next only to Maheshwar Neog and her guru Roseswar Saikia Barbayan of Kamalabari satra.

?I am paying my debt to my guru, who has been instrumental in bringing this rich cultural treasure trove from the religious-ritualistic moorings of the satras to the secular stage, enabling the common people to enjoy Sattriya dance,? says the dancer. Sattriya was recognised as a classical dance by the Sangeet Natak Akademi a month after the death of Roseswar Saikia Barbayan on November 15, 2000.

?Thus, every year, to mark the occasion, we organise Nritya Parva along with my disciples,? she says. Last year, she started a school of Sattriya dance called ?Rangayan? in Guwahati.

?At present we have 20 students and Bhabananda Borbayan is providing support to build the three-year-old school,? she says.

?My aim is to provide perfect training to my students, not only in performance of Sattriya dance but also in make-up, teaching methodology and in all other related aspects. Unless the entire training is complete, I won?t allow my students to perform,? the Sattriya dancer adds.

In addition to her writings on the Sattriya tradition, brought out by many a renowned publications, Saikia has also penned a number of books scholarly publications on education, women and other development issues.

She is the first person to develop and present a distinctive repertoire for solo performance of Sattriya dance, which is usually performed by a group of monks in the satras.

She tirelessly attempts to acquaint the masses, especially the young generation, with the priceless heritage of Assam in the form of Sattriya heritage through her innumerable lecture and demonstrations organised by the Sangeet Natak Akademi, Spic-Macay, universities and colleges, both within and outside the state of Assam.

?Although the Akademi has recognised Sattriya dance, my aim will be fulfilled when everyone, in the nook-and-corner of India will know and acknowledge the richness of Sattriya,? she says.

?Blaming others is useless, we ourselves should take up the cudgel to promote the dance and I am confident of reaching the highest summit.?

From costume and adornments (Aharya), music and presentation, stage craft and choreography, building a repertoire for solo performance, improving artistic expressions, Saikia has done it all and with brilliance.

Some of her major performances were at the Appan Conference in Dalhousie in the year 2001, Vasantotsav in Hyderabad in the year 2000, Bharat Utsav in Calcutta in the year 2003 and the HCL concert series in India Habitat Centre in New Delhi in 2002.

?Through dance I not only communicate with my audience, but also exercise through which I reach the spiritual high almost like interacting with God,?says the dancer.