The global icon Dr. Menaka P.P. Bora has a beautiful journey of dance to share where art and culture meets innovative approaches and representation.
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Dr. Menaka P.P. Bora, the daughter of guru Indira P. P. Bora is a graceful classical dancer trained in Sattriya and Bharatanatyam. She is not only a dancer but a well known researcher as well. She has dedicated her whole life to dance and music and represented Assam and Sattriya in Global platforms.
Along with the efforts of her mother Indira, they have managed to make the Sangeet Natak Akademi recognize ‘Sattriya Nritya’ as another classical dance of India. Menaka P.P. Bora is trained in Bharatanatyam under renowned Dhananjayans and learned kalaripayattu, the Kerala martial art form, from the renowned dancer and choreographer Chandralekha.
She used to be known as India’s “Youth Icon” and “avant-garde diva,” and she served as Dalmia Bharat Ltd. company’s only artist brand ambassador. Dr. Menaka P.P. Bora, who performed at the British Museum and Asia House in London, at an early age, already set a standard in classical dance.
First rhythmic footsteps
Can you imagine a 2 year old kid doing classical dance, Menaka P.P. Bora started dancing since the age of 2, a delicate age where children struggle to walk straight. Being the daughter of legendary classical dancer Guru Indira P.P. Bora, this shouldn’t be shocking to hear. She mentions that her mother performed even when Menaka was inside her womb and the genetics played it best part.
She was raised with a flexible educational schedule that prioritized dancing over academics. She was also the youngest dancer to ever perform solo at Chennai’s esteemed Kalashetra, she was just 9 year old when she leaned Bharatnityam. Dr. Menaka P.P. Bora did her BA from Stella Maris College Chennai and further did an MA in Transnational Communications and Global Media and finished her PhD in Ethnomusicology and Media both from the University of London.
The artistically rich lineage
She inherited a broad knowledge of the art world as well as a rich artistic background. She becomes more than just a performer when she blends her innate talent and dedication with the finest academic training that both India and the West had to offer. In addition to this, Menaka P.P. Bora has contributed to the legacy of “Assam Tea.”
Her grandfather, Kamakhya Prasad Barua, was credited with revitalizing Assam tea. Along with being a well-known tea manufacturer, he was a generous contributor to Assamese education, film, and the arts. With a rich cultural background and artistic talent running through her family since birth, Menaka managed to preserve Assamese tradition and grow into an epitome of grace.
Her Ethnomusic journey
Multiple dance forms, several achievements, academic success and years of dedication is what sums up the journey of Dr. Menaka P.P. Bora. She never performed for the sake of participating in any competitions up untill she was eagerly forced by her classmates during her graduation. She performed Bharatnityam in Chennai and not only won the prize but was appreciated by everyone.
An Assamese to win a Bharatanatyam competition in Tamil Nadu is itself an achievement. Menaka didn’t want to limit her art only up to its physical expression rather she wanted to explore the intricacies of dance and expression, gain knowledge in various musical attributes so she joined the university of London.
Life overseas
While working as a research scholar at Oxford University, she discovered several uncommon Sanskrit works that have to do with traditional Indian dancing. After reading, she made the decision to “dance the Text.” Oxonians, who were unfamiliar with the concept, were intrigued but skeptical. In one of the revered libraries, she staged a performance while dressed in traditional ethnic dance attire, shocking everyone with her creative and new ideas.
2019 saw Menaka P.P. Bora give a well-known Sattriya performance at London’s renowned Royal Albert Hall. She was named an Elected Fellow of the Royal Asiatic Society and an artist-in-residence at the University of Oxford. Menaka has therefore raised awareness of Sattriya Dance in the world’s most esteemed academic circles through her studies and lectures throughout Europe, the USA, and India, all the while keeping ties to the roots i.e. Assam, to where art of Sattriya Nritya belongs.
She says that “One of the reasons I chose to focus on Sattriya is because of its rich and vibrant folk music and to break the prejudice people have towards the people of Assam and the Northeast,”
Achievements
Menaka P.P. Bora falls within the Sattriya category of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICFCR) and is a selection artist. Sangeet Natak Akademi presented her with the esteemed Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar 2009, the highest national young artiste award in India. She was also the first Indian to work with the Oxford University Faculty of Music’s ethnomusicology department on Indian classical dance.
Apart from being the first Indian Assamese artist to perform Sattriya dance solo, she also gave talks and seminars at the esteemed Oxford Literary Festival and Edinburgh Cultural Festival. An inspiration for all the growing artists to gracefully follow their passion for art and excel in their academics at the same time. She proves that the thirst for knowledge can lead us to great heights and respecting our own art and culture will bring recognition to it from all around the world.
Rimjim is a passionate researcher, writer, and storyteller. Being an Assamese, she feels the pride and enthusiasm for writing blogs,stories and articles promoting Assam, Assamese culture, lifestyle, and food. Email: rimjim@diversityassam.com
