[Assam] (no subject)
Hi All: Any of you have the email address of the editor of the Assamese weekly (or daily - or whatever) called 'Doinik Jonoxadharon'? Please send me a mail if you do! Thanks! ___ assam mailing list assam@assamnet.org http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org
Re: [Assam] Thanks to BBC for this crisp & even handed piece on the Indo-Assam conflict.
naah...how can i even think of something like that?? hehehehebut it would be really 'fun' to see what happens if assam gets its 'independence'. .india is not a country: its a collection of countries...better still as my friends from abroad say ..india is not even a sub-continent..its a pure continent in itself..well, therein lies the problem...everyone wants a piece of their own 'land'...in the same breadth assam too is a collection of different tribes ...whatever!!!...so what makes the ULFA leaders think that these other tribes would want to live under their dictatorship in the long run...which may not be that long actually, these leaders might end up ruling just a few acres of land...i doubt it though. u know what??? not long ago a few self styled leaders wanted khalistan to be carved out of the present day punjabpunjab was drowned in blood..the violence there makes the violence in assam seems like childs play( for the loss of a better word and with due respect to the deads in these bloody orgy)...but look at todays punjab...its as peacefull as any other state can hope to beand to use a cliche, the icing of the cake is the economic boom that punjab has seen. its the richest state in india and for god's sake its doesn't have even half the resources that we have here in assam. to be affluent we dont need to be 'independent'! everything else is pure crap. in my opinion its not even a lame excuse anymore..it needs wheelchairs! btw, the previous BBC report stated that around 1 ppl have died in this 'struggle' /violence for 'independence' in the past 25 yrs. well assuming most of those killed are ULFA 'boys' ...say around 8000 in the past 15 yrs or so ( 15 yrs because the 'killings' started with OPS Bajrang)...so that makes it around 533-550 per year. now what's the cadre strength of ULFA. 3000?? 4000?? lets put it at 5000 ( they sure deserve some benefit of doubt if not sympathies..and i mean it) the entire cadre will be wiped out in the nxt 10 years at this rate...and here i am not taking into account the surrender in droveschalo, they are allegedly stage managed...so we wont count them. but the facts glares at the face! new recruitments??? well, a full page advertisement in the leading dailies might work..but never be sure of that...times are changing are so are people. who wants bullets when he can have fast bucks ?? who wants to live in jungle when he can live in condos and penthouses...ok, atleast a dignified life without worrying about from where the next bullet will come from. heard that ULFA leaders enjoy a life of oppulence in neighbouring countries ( again it might be a plant by the RAW ;-D ) ..but the point is how many ULFA cadres belongs to the top level in the power pyramid5?? 10?? 100?? even if its 500 what about the rest?? the foot soldiers.man i sure feel pity for those poor souls. one more thing, who are the secong rung leaders in ULFA?? just about no one or is it that they arent/ werent groomed because the top leadership felt that the 'independence' assam dream will die with them??? tsk-tsk... that's called bad management! about the 'dictatorship' issue when assam gains 'independence'well, do the common people look such a fool?? this really tests the intelligence of the people..go take a hike man! ciao, tridip p.s :- btw mr. bartta bistar, why dont u post your mails in your real name instead of using aliases..maybe u could possibly give even ur rank, if u have one that is. atleast we'd know who you are. even if u are just a sympathiser come out in the open dude. if you can fight and dodge bullets without being afraid, no point in hiding behind nicksRajib Das <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: And you thought you would get off that easy :-)As per the only commuique I have read about governancein Assam post the "Indo-Assam" conflict, it so seemsthat there would be NO elections right after attainingsovereignity. There would be dictatorship of theliberators for sometime (number of years perhaps notspecifically specified) till the democraticinstitutions become healthy. As also the fact that allnatural resources (including growth of tea) would beowned by the state and the commanding heights of theeconomy would be occupied by the state.As if Emergency and Governor's Rule wasn't enough. Aswas not Jawaharlal Nehru's bad socialist dreams thatkilled opportunities for us all in the middle 40years.--- tridip <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>wrote:> hi bartaa bistaar,> > thanks a lot for such a piece of news. though i have> been living in assam for all these godforsaken years> now i feel that i was getting diluted, biased and> filterred news about "indo-assam conflict" .> actually i didnt even believe that the indian> government is willing to sit down for "talks" with> our representatives ( its another matter that our> 'representatives' have asked some other bunch of> people to represent them) but after the BBC told me> this,courts
[Assam] Karbi / Dimasa strife and the NSCN
Interesting article here. Is there forced conversion happening amongst these tribes - is the news real? This is obviously the RSS at work here. But so is the Naga Church. And is the conversion creating the strife? The Naga Christian movement is on an aggresive, expansionist mold - I do have some understanding of how it is expanding in Arunachal Pradesh and how the tribes in Arunachal find themselves in strife against each other because of the NSCN. Can anyone throw light on this? Offcourse beyond stating that the RSS should be thrown out of Assam. There are more forces at work in Assam than the RSS and we all know it. Besides throwing out the RSS is a phenomenon we understand and have discussed it to an extent. ASSAM TRIBUNE NSCN (IM) denies role in Karbi violence KOHIMA, Oct 25 The National Socialist Council of Nagaland (I-M) today refuted allegations that it was behind the recent ethnic violence in Karbi Anglong district where 89 people died and over 50,000 villagers belonging to Dimasa and Karbi communities were displaced, reports PTI. Terming the allegations as absurd and inconsistently bereft of any logical reasons, the outfit in a release received here said certain elements with ulterior motives dragged NSCN(I-M) into the clashes in order to incite hatred against the Nagas and create enmity within to launch their evil designs. Assam government, Bharatiya Janata Party, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and Assam Governor Lt Gen (retd) Ajai Singhs report to the Centre had alleged that NSCN(I-M) was behind the worst-ever ethnic strife resulted out of the turf war between Dima Halom Dauga (DHD) and United Peoples Democratic Solidarity (UPDS) militants. Stating that Nagas have no enmity either with Karbis or Dimasas as they have been living together peacefully as good neighbours, the release also dismissed Sangh Parivars allegation of forced conversion asserting that the charge did not bear an iota of truth. As Christian Nagas we do not believe in forced conversions or champion violence which are completely against our religion and a grave sin in its act, the outfit said. Describing the Karbi Anglong incidents as unfortunate, NSCN(I-M) desired that peace prevailed over evil and urged both Karbi and Dimasa tribes to sort out their differences and misunderstanding, it any, through dialogues and diplomatic approaches instead of resorting to violent means. --- Rajib Das <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > Is China's public posture about crushing (and not > just > removing support) for militant groups mean anything > for the situation in our region? Or for that matter > sovereign Assam? > > > http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1275202.cms?headline=We~will~crush~your~rebels:~China~tells~India > > > > > > > __ > Yahoo! Mail - PC Magazine Editors' Choice 2005 > http://mail.yahoo.com > > ___ > assam mailing list > assam@assamnet.org > http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org > __ Yahoo! FareChase: Search multiple travel sites in one click. http://farechase.yahoo.com ___ assam mailing list assam@assamnet.org http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org
Re: [Assam] Fwd: Study on Assam -Centre for Policy Alternatives
Is China's public posture about crushing (and not just removing support) for militant groups mean anything for the situation in our region? Or for that matter sovereign Assam? http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1275202.cms?headline=We~will~crush~your~rebels:~China~tells~India __ Yahoo! Mail - PC Magazine Editors' Choice 2005 http://mail.yahoo.com ___ assam mailing list assam@assamnet.org http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org
Re: [Assam] Thanks to BBC for this crisp & even handed piece on the Indo-Assam conflict.
And you thought you would get off that easy :-) As per the only commuique I have read about governance in Assam post the "Indo-Assam" conflict, it so seems that there would be NO elections right after attaining sovereignity. There would be dictatorship of the liberators for sometime (number of years perhaps not specifically specified) till the democratic institutions become healthy. As also the fact that all natural resources (including growth of tea) would be owned by the state and the commanding heights of the economy would be occupied by the state. As if Emergency and Governor's Rule wasn't enough. As was not Jawaharlal Nehru's bad socialist dreams that killed opportunities for us all in the middle 40 years. --- tridip <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > hi bartaa bistaar, > > thanks a lot for such a piece of news. though i have > been living in assam for all these godforsaken years > now i feel that i was getting diluted, biased and > filterred news about "indo-assam conflict" . > actually i didnt even believe that the indian > government is willing to sit down for "talks" with > our representatives ( its another matter that our > 'representatives' have asked some other bunch of > people to represent them) but after the BBC told me > this,courtsey you, i think i'll have to believe it > now. hard to imagine i wasn't 'actually' aware of > what was going on around me all these > years..damn those biased news... damn those > filterred news.just a query though...are the > news fed and edited by the indian govt. to mislead > ppl like us??? damn the indian govt. if its the > truth and hail BBC..since you guys have ruled > india for around 250 years u must be knowing what > and how occupancy forces treats the occupantsso > news from you should be as good as from the horses > mouth. ( by > the way, if i am not wrong, i remember you flooding > my inbox with news-clippings and links about all > kinds of news about ULFA, the indian govt., the > PCG..PWG ( or whatever they are called). they are > mostly from indian newspapers...so does that mean > that those news were biased and filterred one > can never be sure of those indian newspapers... who > knows they might be on the govt. pay-roll??) > > now what if the indian government gives assam > 'independence'?? good news, eh?? ok then will we > have 'democratic' elections after we gain our > 'independence'??? will our 'representatives fight > those elections or will they keep aside some > permanent posts for themselves??? if they decide to > fight the elections and they lose it what next?? > will they form another faction and try to carve out > another piece of land from assam??? > > on a second thought, can there be any strategic > partnership with india in the future..just like > those NSCN (IM) guys want?? we rule our state...opps > sorry nation...but if some other country tries to > poke its nose into our affairs or tries to act as > the aggressor, india shoud mobilise its defence > forces fast and defend our borders. after all with > india sharing our border from all the sides, it's > their duty. > > a long mail u see. but i am little bit curious and > the BBC doesnt seem to be of any help here and > ofcourse, i can't trust those indian newspapers. > > adios, > > tridip (and that's my real name) > enjoy > > > > > Bartta Bistar <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > Indian PM holds Assam peace talks > > http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/4377388.stm > > Ulfa has been fighting Indian forces for 26 years > > Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is due to hold > talks with representatives of a leading separatist > group from the north-eastern state of Assam. > > An 11-member group representing the United > Liberation Front of Assam (Ulfa) is in Delhi for > talks aimed at ending nearly 25 years of insurgency. > > > The representative group includes human rights > activists, journalists and writers among others. > > More than 10,000 people have died in the rebel fight > for independence. > > Ahead of the talks the peace delegation said it > would raise the issue of Assam's sovereignty with > the government. > > "Our job is to convince the government that for > peace talks with Ulfa, they should at least agree to > a discussion on the issue of Assam's sovereignty," > Lachit Bordoloi, a human rights activist and part of > the delegation, told the BBC. > > "Ceasefire and release of Ulfa members are two more > important issues," journalist Ajit Bhuyian said. > > Apart from the prime minister, India's national > security advisor and the chief minister of Assam are > expected to be present at the talks. > > "The presence of the prime minister in the talks is > in itself an indication of the sincerity of the > Indian government in solving the insurgency problem > in Assam," Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi told > AFP. > > Operations ceased > > Last month, the Indian army called off a > counter-insurg
Re: [Assam] Fwd: Study on Assam -Centre for Policy Alternatives
Umesh: Thanks for posting the Report and for the link to the site. I congratulate the authors for preparing such a report showing the state of things in black and white. It seems to be a professional well written Report on the perspective of development of Assam and definitely we can discuss the details. Looks like it is much needed Report which we needed long back to know the truths. I am sure the report will be (and should be) used by the people of Assam to gain grants from the center. But before that let me put my perspective on the report. The Report proves my point which I have been stating all along. Assamese donot know their problem. It is a report written by non Assamese (again) to show the Assamese, Halo Assamese you have problem. Why such a report could not have been written by the Assamese? Why everytime Assamese had to depend on the Indians to tell them what is Assam's problem? Does it show the poor state of our intellectual resources of the Assamese?. I hope in the following two areas, the people of Assam will produce some professional report before some non Assamese do that. 1) Perspective of the Brahmaputra Flood control 2) The Illegal Immigration Issue from Bangladesh Best of luck to all RB - Original Message - From: umesh sharma To: assam@assamnet.org Sent: Tuesday, October 25, 2005 11:56 AM Subject: [Assam] Fwd: Study on Assam -Centre for Policy Alternatives shall we read and discuss? UmeshCentre for Policy Alternatives <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: Date: Tue, 25 Oct 2005 06:57:06 +0100 (BST)From: Centre for Policy Alternatives <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>Subject: Study on AssamTo: [EMAIL PROTECTED], Rajen Barua <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>CC: m c mahant <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Dear Sirs I am attaching with this mail a study on Assam conducted by the Centre for Policy Alternatives. Mr. Guruswamy and myself are the authors of the report. We hope you find the report both interesting and useful and invite your comments/criticism on the same. Best Wishes Ronald Abraham PS: This report is also available online at: http://www.cpasind.com/reports/13-Left-Behind-Case-Study-Assam.pdf Other studies by our Center are also available at www.cpasind.com. umesh sharma <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: Mukul-da, I am glad that you have taken the initiative in introducing me to Mr Guruswamy. I am currently in Washington and can stay here till June 2006. I am planning to work with poor kids -in school education -across the globe. I am no expert on economic development issue - but I do agree that Assam's economy has gone down - after independence -as per eco. data - most likely due to carving out of separate nations from British India - such as Burma, Bangladesh etc -which closed trade routes an markets. It is likely that Assamese businessment - then as now - were not skilled in identifying other markets -- they can (and could) try to follow Japan's shinig example - which has no resources of its own -except the human resource. Japan is an inspiration for any nation which need to adapt to changing circumstances. Japan rose from the ashes in 30 years, Assam sank during the same period. Negotiations can provide some room for movement but can Assam based individuals reinvent their working - Japan style. Negotiations cannot replace the footwork needed to establish a strong economy in Assam. I wonder how barren Rajasthan or Japan are managing. Regards. Umesh mc mahant <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: Umesh Dear, You need to get close to a powerful (literally and figuratively)ex-Harvard man -Mohan Guruswamy- who heads a top Central Govt organisation -"Centre for Policy Alternatives".Tell him if you want to work with him. His E-mail Id is above. He was here 2 weeks back and spoke on one thing only --"Assam had been cheated all these years-why don't you go and negotiate?" Look who is talking! mm From: umesh sharma <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]To: assam@assamnet.orgSubject: [Assam] Harvard MBA Newsletter: Redefining Economic Downturns -ofAssam since 1947??Date: Mon, 24 Oct 2005 02:26:00 +0100 (BST) At India's independence Assam's per capita income was 40% above All India Average -- now it is 30% below. Is it any kind of economic downturn - due to - break up of British empire in India - separate Burma, Bangladesh etc. - and is it due to lack of acc
Re: [Assam] Thanks to BBC for this crisp & even handed piece on the Indo-Assam conflict.
hi bartaa bistaar, thanks a lot for such a piece of news. though i have been living in assam for all these godforsaken years now i feel that i was getting diluted, biased and filterred news about "indo-assam conflict" . actually i didnt even believe that the indian government is willing to sit down for "talks" with our representatives ( its another matter that our 'representatives' have asked some other bunch of people to represent them) but after the BBC told me this,courtsey you, i think i'll have to believe it now. hard to imagine i wasn't 'actually' aware of what was going on around me all these years..damn those biased news... damn those filterred news.just a query though...are the news fed and edited by the indian govt. to mislead ppl like us??? damn the indian govt. if its the truth and hail BBC..since you guys have ruled india for around 250 years u must be knowing what and how occupancy forces treats the occupantsso news from you should be as good as from the horses mouth. ( by the way, if i am not wrong, i remember you flooding my inbox with news-clippings and links about all kinds of news about ULFA, the indian govt., the PCG..PWG ( or whatever they are called). they are mostly from indian newspapers...so does that mean that those news were biased and filterred one can never be sure of those indian newspapers... who knows they might be on the govt. pay-roll??) now what if the indian government gives assam 'independence'?? good news, eh?? ok then will we have 'democratic' elections after we gain our 'independence'??? will our 'representatives fight those elections or will they keep aside some permanent posts for themselves??? if they decide to fight the elections and they lose it what next?? will they form another faction and try to carve out another piece of land from assam??? on a second thought, can there be any strategic partnership with india in the future..just like those NSCN (IM) guys want?? we rule our state...opps sorry nation...but if some other country tries to poke its nose into our affairs or tries to act as the aggressor, india shoud mobilise its defence forces fast and defend our borders. after all with india sharing our border from all the sides, it's their duty. a long mail u see. but i am little bit curious and the BBC doesnt seem to be of any help here and ofcourse, i can't trust those indian newspapers. adios, tridip (and that's my real name) enjoy Bartta Bistar <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: Indian PM holds Assam peace talks http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/4377388.stm Ulfa has been fighting Indian forces for 26 years Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is due to hold talks with representatives of a leading separatist group from the north-eastern state of Assam. An 11-member group representing the United Liberation Front of Assam (Ulfa) is in Delhi for talks aimed at ending nearly 25 years of insurgency. The representative group includes human rights activists, journalists and writers among others. More than 10,000 people have died in the rebel fight for independence. Ahead of the talks the peace delegation said it would raise the issue of Assam's sovereignty with the government. "Our job is to convince the government that for peace talks with Ulfa, they should at least agree to a discussion on the issue of Assam's sovereignty," Lachit Bordoloi, a human rights activist and part of the delegation, told the BBC. "Ceasefire and release of Ulfa members are two more important issues," journalist Ajit Bhuyian said. Apart from the prime minister, India's national security advisor and the chief minister of Assam are expected to be present at the talks. "The presence of the prime minister in the talks is in itself an indication of the sincerity of the Indian government in solving the insurgency problem in Assam," Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi told AFP. Operations ceased Last month, the Indian army called off a counter-insurgency operation against Ulfa rebels in Assam on the orders of the federal government. The move was aimed at facilitating the current peace talks. Last year, Ulfa rejected an offer of talks because of a demand that the group give up violence ahead of any dialogue. Ulfa is one of the most powerful of nearly a dozen separatist groups fighting Indian security forces in the north-east. Express yourself instantly with MSN Messenger! MSN Messenger Download today it's FREE! ___assam mailing listassam@assamnet.orghttp://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org Yahoo! FareChase - Search multiple travel sites in one click. ___ assam mailing list assam@assamnet.org http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org
[Assam] Indian constitution changes is a possible step to solve the Indo-Assam conflict.
Centre willing to discuss all issues concerning Assam: PM NEW DELHI, OCT 26 (PTI) http://www.outlookindia.com/pti_news.asp?id=331323 Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said that the government was willing to discuss "all issues" concerning Assam after holding discussion with the ULFA-selected People's Consultative Group (PCG) here. "I am willing to listen to whatever concerns that you may raise. I am willing to discuss issues bothering people of Assam," Prime Minister's media advisor Sanjaya Baru quoted him as telling the 11-member delegation of PCG which met him here. The Prime Minister said that he was a "servant of the Constitution" and all issues had to sorted out within its framework." The meeting which lasted for over two hours was also attended by Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, National Security Advisor M K Narayanan and senior officials of the Government.Borbora described the talks held today as "absolutely congenal, open minded and heart-to-heart" and said similar rounds would take place "in the near future rather than in the distant future." Official sources said the next round of talks would be held with the Home Ministry but no time frame had been fixed yet. Quoting the Prime Minister, Baru said "the time has come to end violence. Let us work together to bring a glorious chapter for the people of Assam". The meeting today was held in two sessions, the first attended by the PCG, Narayanan and top Home Ministry officials in which Gogoi also joined. The Prime Minister attended the second session, Borbora said. While it was not officially stated what issues were discussed, sources said ceasefire and ULFA's demand for sovereignty were also discussed. "We have expressed our view point. The Government of India also expresed their view. It was basically at a preliminary stage and Manmohan Singhji expressed that the Government is prepared to discuss all the issues that the PCG brings forward or the ULFA has been pushing through the PCG. "We are hopeful that things will proceed in right direction in right direction to facilitate a lasting and permanent political settlement of the long conflict," he said. Gogoi said that the Prime Minister was "very keen" to bring peace and prosperity to the North-East and asked the PCG to prepare the ground so that ULFA comes to the talks table. He said today's meeting did not discuss nitty-gritties which would be taken up later between the PCG and Government officials. .Express yourself instantly with MSN Messenger! MSN Messenger Download today it's FREE! ___ assam mailing list assam@assamnet.org http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org
[Assam] Thanks to BBC for this crisp & even handed piece on the Indo-Assam conflict.
Indian PM holds Assam peace talks http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/4377388.stm Ulfa has been fighting Indian forces for 26 years Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is due to hold talks with representatives of a leading separatist group from the north-eastern state of Assam. An 11-member group representing the United Liberation Front of Assam (Ulfa) is in Delhi for talks aimed at ending nearly 25 years of insurgency. The representative group includes human rights activists, journalists and writers among others. More than 10,000 people have died in the rebel fight for independence. Ahead of the talks the peace delegation said it would raise the issue of Assam's sovereignty with the government. "Our job is to convince the government that for peace talks with Ulfa, they should at least agree to a discussion on the issue of Assam's sovereignty," Lachit Bordoloi, a human rights activist and part of the delegation, told the BBC. "Ceasefire and release of Ulfa members are two more important issues," journalist Ajit Bhuyian said. Apart from the prime minister, India's national security advisor and the chief minister of Assam are expected to be present at the talks. "The presence of the prime minister in the talks is in itself an indication of the sincerity of the Indian government in solving the insurgency problem in Assam," Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi told AFP. Operations ceased Last month, the Indian army called off a counter-insurgency operation against Ulfa rebels in Assam on the orders of the federal government. The move was aimed at facilitating the current peace talks. Last year, Ulfa rejected an offer of talks because of a demand that the group give up violence ahead of any dialogue. Ulfa is one of the most powerful of nearly a dozen separatist groups fighting Indian security forces in the north-east. Express yourself instantly with MSN Messenger! MSN Messenger Download today it's FREE! ___ assam mailing list assam@assamnet.org http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org
[Assam] Prateesha Suresh: Introduces Majuli Xattra with Gayan Bayan Bhakat at UK
Prateesha Suresh a mumbai-based Xattriya dancer will perform with a group of Bhakats of Kamalabari Xattra for the first time at the prestigious Nehru Centre in UK. Date: 11 November, 2005 Time: 7:00 - 8:00pm Venue: The Nehru Centre, 8 South Audley Street, London, W1K 1HF There are rich presentations on the khol (percussion) called 'Gayan Bayan' done by groups of bhakats (celibate monks) , which are very sacred and auspicious to Xattriya. Prateesha will be accompanied by two seniormost bhakats (celibate monks) from Natun Kamalabari Xattra, Majuli, apart from the lead vocalist and flautist from Assam. The bhakats will perform alongside Prateesha and also support her in the orchestra. For the past fifteen years Prateesha has been involved in bringing out the richness in Xattriya and presenting it to conoisseurs, critics, dance scholars and has performed extensively in all the major Dance festivals. Recently she conducted a workshop of Xattriya in Edinburgh Festival. She has worked on the style, music, costume and presentation of this dance form with active support from the Gurus of Natun Kamalabari Xattra. It has been her effort to take Xattriya to an international level and spread the message of Shrimanta Shankaradeva. Rini Kakati Prateeshas passion for dance started at a very tender age. From childhood, her inclination was towards the Indian classical dance. As a young she pursued her interest in styles like Kathak Bharatanatyam and Xattriya, the dance of her state. She excelled in lead roles like Sita in Ramayana and Shakuntala in Shaakkuntalam and gathered ample experience on stage as a young girl. She was determined to be a professional dancer and followed her pursuits to Kalakshetra in Chennai. After the rigorous training in the institute she graduated in Bharatanatyam with distinction, from where there was no looking back for the dancer. In her home state Assam, Prateesha stated her career as a performer and teacher of dance. She stated teaching in her school Pratishruti Nrityashala and performed avidly which established her as a young, energetic and talented dancer in the minds of the audience and connoisseurs alike. She wanted to improve the classical dance scene of her state by way of making the younger generation aware of the arts. She encouraged her students to go out of the state to learn the fine arts. With her deep interest in the culture of the country she involved herself in organizational works and helped in the organisation of the Veda Sammelan in Guwahati, under the aegis of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham, as the Cultural Convenor. Prateesha got married in1993, which took her out of the state and she travelled to various cities in India with her husband. With new responsibilities of motherhood she was undeterred from her focus and her mission for the classical dances. She continued her passion for dance and pursued perfection. In her dance, Prateesha maintains the impeccable and inimitable style of Kalakshetra. Inspired by the philosophy of Late Rukmini Devi Arundale she believes in upholding the beautiful culture of India through dance, music and the fine arts. The South of India is the land of ancient Hindu traditions and culture, Bharatanatyam is the dance of technique of Tamil Nadu. The technique of Bharatanatyam took centuries to evolve and develop. It is usually danced by a solo woman dancer. Its songs are purely devotional love songs, the dancer being the devotee and God, the beloved. The highly cultivated art of Bharatanatyam has been handed down through the centuries in the temples of South India. It has a rich and varied repertoire, and this embraces all the three aspects of Indian classical dance. Xattriya Prateesha took her first steps in dance and Xattriya. After her initial training in Bharatanatyam she took up the task of studying the five hundred years old dance form of her state, founded by the great philosopher and saint Shrimanta Shankaradeva. Traditionally, Xattriya is danced only by men inside the precincts of the Xattra. Therefore it required a deeper understanding of the art form. Prateesha felt committed in studying the classical features of the dance and establishing them which led her into studying the various facets and nuances of the dance form in detail. She not only worked on the technique of the dance but also on the music, costume and presentation. The Xattriya style of dancing is unique from the other existing classical dance styles. Studying the technique and presenting the classical features of the dance keeping the underlying spirit or philosophy of the dance intact became the most difficult yet the sole aim for this dancer. She took it up as a research work and with support from her Guru and co-musicians she could create pieces of solo-dance dramas as never done in Xattriya before. She brought forth the original music and unearthed the style of costume as existing before and created costumes that were traditional and yet
