Who dislikes to be a part of divine experiences ? I guess none of us. It was 23rd of July, 2022 when I along with 29 young aspiring dancers under the able guidance of Dr. Lima Das went to Chennai to represent our classical dance form of Assam, "Sattriya Dance" at the grand inauguration ceremony of 44th Chess Olympiad organized by the Fédération Internationale des Échecs (FIDE). Our event was to take place on 28th of July, 2022 at Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium, Chennai. But due to rehearsals schedule with other Artistes from different states we boarded our flight five days prior to the event date. Being the 3rd International Event of my art journey, my happiness knew no bounds. My first International Sattriya event was at the Srimanta Sankardeva's 1st International Festival with a group of Artists from Europe performed under the guidance of my Adhyapak Dr. Bhabananda Borbayan and 2nd one was at 8th Arudhra Darshana International Natyanjali Festival, 2018 held at Pasupateeswarar Temple, Karur organized by Karur Natyanjali Trust.
However this time the feel was bit different and special because Chess Olympiad was happening for the 1st time in India and to perform on that grand platform amidst thousands of other Artistes was something way exciting to witness it on my own. Our first four days before the main event went in full swing rehearsals and if luckily we get some leisure hours in between, then that time served to all of us as "Local Places Exploration Period". Starting from Merina Beach, Local Markets, Santhome Cathedral Basilica to exploring the very beautiful Kalakshetra Foundation, it was worth a trip for all of us. The place of Kalakshetra Foundation of Chennai and its beauty shall never be forgotten as the entire artistic education is dedicated to the preservation of traditional values primarily Bharatanatyam and Gandharvaveda Music. The scholars and the teachers out there still practice the 'Gurukul Style' of teaching to the students amidst the fast moving era of technology and mechanical study that makes it unique amongst all. Our grand event day was inaugurated by the Honorable Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi in presence of Honorable Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Muthuvel Karunanidhi Stalin, Chess Grandmaster Shri Viswanathan Anand along with other dignitaries present in the event. The entire program was live telecasted by DD Podhigai which is the regional variation of Doordarshan in Tamil Nadu.
We returned back home on the next day i.e. 29th of July,2022. It's been a long 20 years journey till date of practicing my art-form "Sattriya dance" ever since I was introduced into this field by my parents in the year 2001, but above all, this event and experience will be one of the most beautiful chapters of my life for so many reasons. All my heart to one of the best mentor ever Dr. Lima Das for making me a part of it. It felt surreal. 44th Fide Chess Olympiad, you have my heart always !! <3
Anannya Mahanta is professional Sattriya Dance practitioner from Assam. A double diploma holder...
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