ABOUT SATKARA-UNLEASHING THE SPIRIT OF SATTRIYA: “SATKARA-UNLEASHING THE SPIRIT OF SATTRIYA” (previously known as Satkara- A Society for Propagating Satriya Culture) was established on 10th July 2013 by Sattriya danseuse Meenakshi Medhi. With a vision to familiarize the Sattriya culture especially among the youths of the state, Satkara aims to preserve the nationally recognized dance form of Assam. The society believes in preserving the 600 years old dance tradition of Assam by the youths in general. As the youths hold the key of the future in their hands, it is them to whom they should educate about the rich classical heritage that Sattriya culture has enriched the state. The society has been registered under the Societies Registration Act,1860 with registration number KAM(M)/263/D/176. The society was blessed to have Late Sri Bhadra Krishna Goswami, Sattradhikar of Sri Sri Jakai Sattra, Sibsagar as the chief advisor and he was a supporter and a motivating factor in carrying out the activities of Satkara. ABOUT THE FOUNDER/PRESIDENT- Meenakshi Medhi is a dedicated and committed young exponent of Sattriya. A senior disciple of Adhyapak Late Jibanjit Dutta, Meenakshi has obtained her Nritya Visharad in Sattriya dance from Natan Sattriya Academy under Sangeet Sattra Pariksha Parishad, Guwahati. She has also learned Bharatnatyam under Guru Pranamika Gogoi Das and received her Visharad degree in Bharatnatyam from Sarbabharatiya Sangeet- O- Sanskritik Parishad, Kolkata. After the demise of her Adhyapak Jibanjit Dutta , Meenakshi started learning this dance form under Sangeet Natak Akademi Awardee Adhyapak Haricharan Bhuyan Borbayan. Blessed with natural flair for the art, and relentless single-minded devotion, Meenakshi has developed into her present status as an elite performing artist. She has also been guided by Late. Dr. Jagannath Mahanta on the theoretical aspect of Sattriya dance during her research period in University of Mumbai and received special training by Adhyapak Paramananda Kakoty Borbayan of Purona Kamalabari Sattra, Titabor and Adhyapak Bhaben Borbayan of Uttar Kamalabari Sattra, Majuli. Education: Dual master degree holder in Philosophy and Sociology from University of Mumbai and IGNOU. Graduation and higher secondary from Cotton College, Guwahati. High school from Nichols High School, Guwahati. Learning and practicing dance since the age of 5 years.(Started learning Sattriya since 2004 and performing Sattriya dance as a Soloist since 2010) She established her brainchild “SATKARA- Unleashing the Spirit of Sattriya” in 2013. Presently, she is teaching Sattriya dance in New Delhi. For her dedication and devotion in the field of Sattriya dance, Meenakshi has been appreciated by cultural organizations. She was awarded National Nritya Bhusan award by Utkal Yuva Sanskrutik Sangh, Cuttack, India and Kalai Kalanjiyam Award (‘Repository of Talent in the field of Fine Arts’) by Kalai Koodam Academy of Performing Arts Trust, Madurai . Apart from this, she was awarded National Young Scholarship by Ministry Of Culture, Govt. Of India, New Delhi, graded artist of Sattriya Dance by Prasar Bharati (India's Public Service Broadcaster) Doordarshan Kendra, Guwahati, empanelled as a “promising artist” in Ministry of Culture, Festival of India Cell panel of artists/groups for participation in Festivals of India Abroad, and empanelled artist of SPICMACAY for Workshop Demonstrations on Sattriya Dance. She has given solo performances across the country viz Andaman & Nicobar Island, Bangalore, Mumbai, Thanjavur, New Delhi, Madurai, Indore, Siliguri, Silchar, Darjeeling, Kolkata, Jalpaiguri, Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Guwahati, Majuli, Tirupati organized by SNA, NEZCC, EZCC, Neemrana Foundation, IIM etc. Being an empanelled artist of SPICMACAY for workshop demonstrations, she has done presentations on Sattriya dance in various schools of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab etc.