Guwahati , January25: In a proud moment for Assam, renowned Sattriya dance maestro Jatin Goswami has been awarded the prestigious Padma Bhushan. This recognition comes after his previous honors, including the Padma Shri and Sangeet Natak Akademi awards.
Goswami, 92, is a highly acclaimed exponent of the classical Sattriya dance form, which is an integral part of Assam’s Vaishnavite culture. He has also trained in folk dance forms and ‘Ankia Naat’, a traditional one-act play created by Vaishnavite saint Srimanta Sankardeva.
With a career spanning over six decades, Goswami has performed extensively across India and abroad, showcasing his mastery of Sattriya and other traditional dance forms. His contributions to the field of Sattriya Sangeet have been immense, and he has been recognized with numerous awards, including the ‘Kushilaba Kala Nidhi’ title .
In addition to Goswami’s recognition, several other individuals from Assam have been awarded the Padma Shri. These include:
- Joynacharan Bathari: Known for his contributions to Dimasa folk traditions, Bathari has popularized the art form across the country through his performances.
- Reba Kanta Mahanta: Recognized for his work in traditional mask-making, Mahanta is an 89-year-old native of Sivasagar district.
- Anil Kumar Boro: Associated with the Department of Folklore Studies of Gauhati University, Boro has been honored for his contributions to literature and education.
- Gita Upadhyay: A retired academician and well-known writer and translator, Upadhyay has also been recognized for her contributions to literature and education.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said, “On behalf of the people of Assam, I congratulate Shri Jatin Goswami dangariya for being awarded the Padma Bhushan and Shri Anil Kumar Boro, Smt. Gita Upadhyay, Shri Joynacharan Bathari & Shri Reba Kanta Mahanta for being conferred with Padma Shri.”
“We cherish their rich contribution and thank them for their exceptional work which has inspired our society,” he added.