A Paris-based cultural activist On a �promote-xatriya dance� mission

[Pradip Kumar Datta]

On a ‘promote-xatriya dance’ mission
Frenchman documenting artistic details for winning over European audiences 
Our Correspondent
JORHAT, July 16: A maiden visit to Majuli in April last year gave Mathias Coulange, a Paris-based cultural activist, a mission to devote himself to. The Frenchman intends to promote xatriya dance at the world stage to highlight its “tremendous artistic potential.” He has even floated an NGO, Preserver Majuli, along with fellow countrywoman Nagine Gelpech who has written a book on the river island.
“Though there are large audiences for Indian classical dance forms in Europe, the majority of westerners are not aware of the existence of xatriya dance,” Coulange, who is on his third visit to Majuli, told The Sentinel here. It is still an unknown dance form despite all its aesthetic appeal, he said.
Coulange, who has been staying at Uttar Kamalabari Xatra in the river island to gain first-hand knowledge of the different aspects of xatriya dance, is documenting the relevant data for easy reference of aficionados of art and culture in the European countries. “I will approach theatre and festival organizers in Paris, London and other cities and show them the videos and pictures showcasing the rich aspects of xatriya dance,” he maintained.
The French connoisseur, who has been associated with visual and performing arts for the last two decades, has so far visited ten xatras in Majuli. Coulange is actively collaborating with Bhabananda Borbayan of Uttar Kamalabari Xatra, a renowned exponent of xatriya dance, to carry forward his work. The duo is scheduled to attend a workshop of the dance form in Barpeta district, to be held from July 21 to 28.
On the unique features of xatriya dance, Coulange pointed out that the dramatic theme renders itself for easy interpretation at all levels. The gayan-bayan (accompaniments of songs and instruments during a recital) is spectacular, he enthused. Also, the performers have high energy levels which is truly appealing, the Frenchman added.
Coulange is also aware of the perennial erosion threat hanging over Majuli and jeopardizing its very existence. “We cannot do anything on our own to address the problem as Preserver Majuli is basically a culture NGO,” he stressed. However, once people (in Europe) are initiated to xatriya dance, they will definitely become interested in the place where the dance form originated, Coulange said. The focus will then also shift towards the physical threat to the island posed by erosion, he reasoned. 
Preserver Majuli has at present 40 members, mostly from France and the United States. Gelpech, who, too, has been a regular visitor to Majuli since the last ten years, will arrive in the river island for supporting a documentary later this year or early next year, Coulange revealed.
The Frenchman was publicly felicitated along with an Australian tourist, Ilsa Pickeit, at the function held at the Jorhat District Library auditorium on Saturday to commemorate the first death anniversary of cultural savant, late Rameswar Borbayan. “I have been mesmerized by the cultural landscape of Majuli in my first visit itself,” Pickeit, who hails from Melbourne, told this correspondent. http://sentinelassam.com/

       
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