Traditional Rabha dance being performed. Picture by UB Photos

April 21: If you have always longed to learn the traditional dances of the state, this is your opportunity.

The city-based film and drama school, Surojit Academy, will introduce six-month courses in traditional dance forms of the state from May 6 to mark its eighth anniversary.

It has roped in experts to teach bagrumba of the Bodos, the Rabha dance, theyonaam, jhumur and Sattriya dances among others.

This is the first time that a city-based school is imparting courses in traditional dance forms of the state.

?Our motive is to revive the state?s traditional dances and make them popular in urban households,? said Pozir Shah, principal of the academy and a theatre director.

?We have nothing against modern dances. During our eight years of existence, we have realised that due importance should be given to traditional art and culture to save it from extinction,? he said.

?The response has been good, which confirms that people are keen to learn traditional dances,? he added.

Film and theatre personality Kulada Kumar Bhattacharjee said, ?The introduction of the courses is laudable as traditional dances are fading away from people?s memory. The students can, in turn, showcase the beauty and grace of these dances before a national and international audience.?

Darshana Daimary, who has come from Udalguri for admission to the course, is elated at the prospect of learning her traditional dance, bagrumba, from experts.

?I have been looking for an opportunity to learn bagrumba professionally. I want to reap the maximum benefit from this opportunity. I might open a school after learning the nuances of the dance,? she said.

The academy also offers a one-year full-time course in various aspects of film and drama.

The students are given lessons in acting, classical dances, songs, musical instruments, recitation, camera-handling, editing, dubbing and the basics of filmmaking.

In fact, some of its alumni are doing well in films, drama and on the radio.

The academy boasts of a visiting faculty comprising actors Biju Phukan, Nipon Goswami, Abha Hazarika, Sombhu Gupta, Tapan Das and Badal Das.

Besides, mime is taught by Moinul Haque and radio artist Bhupen Chakraborty imparts lessons in recitation.

Every year, the academy participates in five drama festivals across the country and has won awards and accolades.

At present, its students are preparing for a multilingual drama festival to be held at Pune from May 21.