Mallika Kandali

🪔 About

Dr. Mallika Kandali is a distinguished Indian classical dancer, academician, and author, renowned for her profound contributions to Sattriya dance, one of India's major classical dance forms originating from Assam. She began her journey in Sattriya dance at the tender age of eight, with her second documented performance taking place in Moina Parijat at Nagaon, Assam, in 1974. Her extensive training in Sattriya was guided by eminent gurus including Harendra Nath Sarma, Neelapadma Paul, Tileswar Tamuli, Ghanakanta Bora Barbayan, and Naren Ch. Baruah. Demonstrating her commitment to scholarly pursuit, Dr. Kandali earned her Ph.D. from Gauhati University in 2005, with her doctoral research focusing on "The Sattriya and the Odissi Dances: A Comparative Study." She holds the distinction of being the first woman doctoral researcher in the Sattriya dance tradition. For her research, she also undertook training in Odissi dance under Guru Garima Hazarika starting in 1996. Beyond her performances, Dr. Kandali has significantly enriched the Sattriya repertoire by preparing the nomenclature of numerous foot positions and hand gestures. She also introduced eight gestures for each of the Ashta-nayikas and six gestures for each season into Sattriya. An accomplished author, her literary contributions include "Nrityakala Prasanga Aru Sattria Nritya," "Sattriya: The Living Dance Tradition of Assam," and "Mati-Akhara: The Grammar of Sattriaa Dance." Academically, Dr. Kandali serves as an Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Political Science at RG Baruah College in Guwahati, Assam. She is also a Visiting Professor at the Centre for Studies in Performing Arts, Dibrugarh University, and Srimanta Sankaradeva University, Assam. Her influence extends to curriculum development, as she is the convener of the Sattriya dance syllabus committee at Gauhati University and has prepared syllabi for Cotton University and Rangiya College. She is an empanelled artist of the ICCR, Festival of India, and a graded artist of Doordarshan. Dr. Kandali founded the dance institute Parampara Pravah in Guwahati, through which she imparts her expertise to the next generation. Her exceptional contributions have been recognized with numerous accolades, including the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for Sattriya dance in 2025. Other significant awards include the Srimanta Sankardeva Research Award in 2006, the World Dance Day Puraskar in 2011, the Devdasi National Award in 2014, the Chinta O Chetana National Award in 2015, the Gandharba Abhinamita Sanman in 2024, the ITDC Naatya Bhushan Award in 2024, and the Bishnu Rabha Award from the Assam government in 2025. Awards & Honours: Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (2025), Srimanta Sankardeva Research Award (2006), World Dance Day Puraskar (2011), Devdasi National Award (2014), Chinta O Chetana National Award (2015), Bishnu Rabha Award (2025), Gandharba Abhinamita Sanman (2024), ITDC Naatya Bhushan Award (2024).