Bhavakrishna Deva Goswami~The Dancing Shiva
- Rudra Jayanta Bhagawati
- 1 day ago
- 4 min read
Late Shri Bhavakrishna Deva Goswami was a magnificent dance legend of Assam. As usual all the BHAKATS of SATTRA of Assam are expert in Sattriya dance & music, hence Shri Bhavakrishna Deva Goswami was also a NIPUN in this art form. He was the Sattradhikaar of Borelengi Sattra which originally was in Majuli, but later established in Lakhimpur along with a branch in Moriani, Assam.
His performance of DASHAVATAR and SHIV TANDAV was truly mind blowing. The SHIV TANDAV is a semi classical & creative dance composition which he learnt from Kalaguru Bishnu Rabha. It is said that, Kalaguru Bishnu Rabha has learnt SHIV TANDAV from the legendary dance maestro Uday Shankar. Kalaguru Bishnu Rabha taught this dance composition to six of disciples in Assam. One of them was the legend Late Shri Bhavakrishna Deva Goswami.
I'm fortunate enough to be one of the prominent disciples of this great maestro and been able to learn this one of its kind dance composition from him in the year 1985-86. I performed this composition a lot during those days, but after that I stepped out from Assam and got involved with other dance forms of India. But, this powerful composition always lingered in my mind and I eagerly await to perform it in some grand occasion.
One of such aroused suddenly and I directed, choreographed and performed this with my wife and my group on the occasion of musical legend Late Zubeen Garg's ROCK 2012 in Guwahati, Assam.
His honest efforts in teaching the best he knows and taking pride in his students is something that lingers in my mind always. He was my maestro for creative dance techniques. It is not adequately convincing that one will become famous and known worldwide only by possessing immense knowledge. Guru Bhavakrishna Deva Goswami was a decent man and stayed away from cultural politics. He led his life being a pious preacher and practitioner. Besides his life long journey and penance towards dance, his life stood as an example that we witnessed as he was bared from recognition and honours by his contemporaries who were in some major committees and also because he was not within the circle of promoters and politicians. This is exactly where we fail to recognise honest artistes.
How are you exploring your teachings presently?
I used to have a school in a room within the Mariani College, Mariani and taught there for almost twelve years. But gradually boys used to diminish in number. I used to take examinations of Sattra Mahasabha but sadly have to leave that too as they were unable to bear my travel expenses. Later at home I taught dance to some of my students. And also I taught in the Sattra as the Nritya was slowly being erased due to lack of teachings in such sanctum. Now gradually things are shaping up. Here at home also I am preparing a boy in the Tandava Nritya. He’s coping up well. He is a young boy gave matriculation exam this year.
I left my place (Jorhat) and your teachings almost 25 years back. I stayed in Lucknow learning at the Bhatkhande for 11 years and then shifted to Delhi for 12 years learning under Pt. Birju Maharaj under Guru Shishya Parampara for 4-5 years. .
Yes almost 25 years. Whenever somebody asks me I say that, I have taught many but there’s one whom I taught very profoundly. He is progressing well. He used to be in Lucknow but after that we both lost track of each other. Earlier there was a habit of letter writing but slowly that also vanished.
After learning I joined the Jindal school in Haryana and worked for almost 12 years. In between got married to a girl from Guwahati, she is also a dancer. Presently living in Mumbai and doing dance works. Recently I choreographed Shiv Tandav in a group.
Good. You should never leave dance and dancing. The Shiva Tandav you could perform solo too. In case when you don’t want the group you can omit the story and perform the fierce dancing part involving few Maati Akharas to look more expansive.
It's been years I have not heard your recitation of bols (bol padhant). Could you please recite something?
Dhakhiriti Takhiriti
Takhiriti Taukhiti
Takhiriti Takhiriti Takhiriti Taukhiti
Dhakhiriti Taukhiti
Takhiriti Taukhiti
Khita Didhinta
Khita Didhinak
Dhei Dhei
Dhakhiriti Takhiriti
Takikhita Khitadhini Dhou
Tak Dhini Gini Tak
Dhakhiriti Takhiriti
Takhiriti Taukhiti
Takhiriti Takhiriti Takhiriti Taukhiti ....
I danced 3 years back, after that I didn’t dance. Minister Shri Gautam Borah, he invited me for the ‘Phagua’, there was a huge crowd. They felicitated me before my performance. After my performance the crowd again insisted me to dance for more.
WATCH THE FULL VIDEO HERE> https://youtu.be/U3MYHJblG9A
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