Mrilini Baishya Mahanta – A Tribute

Born to Ramani & Debojani Baishya on December 7, 1983, Saruma (fondly called by close ones) was a sparking, bubbly and ever-charged child right from her early childhood. Her talkative and extrovert ture could easily win over the hearts of any person and be complete at ease with her right at the first meeting. After her schooling from Asom Jatiya Vidyalaya, she completed her Higher Secondary from B Barooah College and later went on to complete her BBA from Sikkim Manipal University.

But more than her educatiol qualification, it was her ever reliable legs, hands, eyes and face that was doing the bulk of the talking. Dancing, which was her hobby at the very early childhood, slowly engulfed her and transformed into a passion which made her a shining star. She completed her Diploma in Bharat tyam from Kalabhumi, under the guidance of renowned dancer Indira PP Bora, and later completed her Visharad in Bharat tyam from Bhatkhande Sangeet Vidyapith, Lucknow. Not just content with only one dance form, she later went on to complete Visharad in Sattriya Dance from Sangit Sattra Pariksha Parishad under her guru Jibanjit Dutta. After that there was no turning back for this rising star and she went on to bag the Mithilanchal tya Award 2017 from Saharsa, Bihar, Apurva Pratibha Award 2017 from Kolkata, apart from being desigted as a Grade ‘B’ artist in Sattriya Dance in Doordarshan Kendra, Guwahati.

Being an eminent & amateur artist in both dance forms mely, Bharat tyam & Sattriya Dance, she went on to perform in Hue & Hanoi Festival (Vietm), Khajuraho Festival 2004 (MP), tiol Handicrafts Expo 2005 (Delhi) among others. Apart from the above mentioned tiol and intertiol performances she had a vast list of state level performances, among which Golden Jubilee Function (GU), Pratibha Chayan Utsav 2017, organized by Eastern Zol Centre, Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India, many shows organized by Sangeet tak Academy among others are worth mentioning. She was also associated as a dance teacher for organizations like Asom Jatiya Vidyalaya, Azara Music College, Azara, Maharshi Vidya Mandir, Barsajai, Maria Public School and most renowned Kalabhumi.

But her sudden demise on October 16 at around 3:45am at her parental residence has left us shell-shocked and cast a pall of grief on her extended family as well as entire locality, and all those related to or associated with her. The void which she has created in our life may never ever be filled. Assam has lost a rising star in the field of art & culture, especially in the field of Sattriya dance form, which is on the verge of extinction.

Today on this 26th day of October 2017, when we are performing her Adya Shraddha, we all pray to the Almighty that may her soul rest in peace and may she be dancing wherever she is, for dancing was her heart and soul.

With all love,

Anjan J Baishya