Personality

Jatin Goswami - Legendary Sattriya Dance Exponent Of Assam

Jatin Goswami is one of Assam's most celebrated cultural icons and a pioneering force behind the global recognition of Sattriya, one of India's classical dance forms. Born on 2 August 1933 at Adhar Sattra near Dergaon in Golaghat district, he grew up in a deeply cultural milieu where Sattriya music, dance and traditions were an integral part of daily life. Under the guidance of his father Dharanidhar Dev Goswami, he received his initial training, which later expanded under eminent gurus such as Gopiram Bayan, Babula Bayan, Bishnu Prasad Rabha, Dutta Muktiyar and Raseswar Saikia Barbayan.
Jatin Goswami from Assam

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Life & Legacy

In 1953, Jatin Goswami founded Alok Shilpi Sangha, a dance academy dedicated to nurturing young talents in Sattriya. Despite his commitment to Sattriya, he broadened his artistic foundation by receiving training in Kathak under Ganesh Hiralal and Manipuri dance from Atomba Singh. His creative journey took a new direction when he co-founded Pragjyoti Kala Parishad in 1962, an influential cultural organization established with the vision of promoting classical and traditional art forms of Assam.

Jatin Goswami played a key role in taking Sattriya from the traditional Sattra monasteries to mainstream cultural platforms across India and abroad. He is widely acknowledged as the only Sattriya exponent who travelled extensively to conduct workshops, lecture demonstrations and performances aimed at documenting, standardizing and popularizing Sattriya across various regions. His efforts were instrumental in the recognition of Sattriya as a 'Classical Dance of India' by the Sangeet Natak Akademi in 2000.

Over the decades, Goswami authored several authoritative books on Sattriya such as Maati Akhora, Nritya Paribhasik Sabda, Jhumura Nach - Nadu Bhangee Nrityar Sikshya and Nrityar Prathamik Hasta Parichaya, which continue to serve as key academic resources. When the Sattriya Akademi was established in Guwahati in 2000 under the Sangeet Natak Akademi, he became its first director, contributing significantly to institutionalizing the dance form.

His dedication to Sattriya earned him numerous prestigious awards throughout his life. He received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2004, followed by the Padma Shri in 2008. In recognition of his lifelong contribution to Indian classical arts, the Government of India conferred upon him the Padma Bhushan in 2025, one of the nation's highest civilian honours. He has also been honored with Kalidas Samman (2017), Akademi Ratna/Fellowship (2019), Bharatiyam Samman, Best Dance Director Award (1997-98), Silpi Divas Award, Nritya Siromoni Award and several other notable recognitions.

Today, Jatin Goswami stands as the senior-most Sattriya Guru, revered across India for his innovative choreography, scholarly contributions and unmatched dedication towards preserving, teaching and modernizing Sattriya dance. His life's work has transformed Sattriya into a globally respected classical dance form, making him one of Assam's greatest cultural ambassadors.