Guwahati, Aug 21 (UNI) Assam's Satriya dance is enjoying greater patronage from the Sangeet Natak Akademi (SNA) with a Satriya Centre set up here and the Akademi considering funding of Satras (Vashnavite learning seats) to preserve the dance form.

''The Akademi is considering providing funds to the Satras in the state to preserve the Satriya dance form in its true home and proper form,'' Jayant Kastuar, secretary of the Akademi, said on the sidelines of inauguration of a centre of the SNA at Shillong last evening.

The dance form has already been recognised as a national classical dance.

Elaborating on the Satriya Centre in Guwahati, he said it is functioning already, though it would be formally inaugurated in November.

''The Centre will support teachers and institutions to preserve and promote Satriya dance and theatre,'' he said.

The Centre will impart training to artists in 'Borgeet' and 'Ankiya Bhaona', he informed.

Mr Kastuar praised the Barpeta Satriya music form and Majuli dance form especially and stressed on the urgent need to preserve them in the true form.

''The Satriya dance form has already been included in the list of major dance forms of the country by the Akademi,'' he added.

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