Shri Jatin Goswami, revered exponent of Sattriya, has been conferred with the Padma Bhushan, India’s third-highest civilian award, for his exceptional and lifelong contribution to the field of Art. At the age of 91, this recognition celebrates a remarkable journey devoted to preserving and promoting one of India’s most ancient classical dance forms.
Born in 1933 in Adhar Sattra, Assam, Jatin Goswami’s life has been synonymous with Sattriya, the devotional dance rooted in the Vaishnavite monasteries (Sattras) of Assam. Trained under traditional gurus and later influenced by classical dance forms like Kathak and Manipuri, Goswami fused depth, discipline, and aesthetics into his performances and pedagogy.
He founded the Alok Shilpi Sangha in 1953 and was a pivotal figure behind the establishment of the Sattriya Akademi under the Sangeet Natak Akademi. His tireless advocacy led to the formal recognition of Sattriya as one of India’s eight classical dance forms in 2000.
Already a recipient of the Padma Shri (2008), Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (2004), and Kalidas Samman (2017), the Padma Bhushan is a crowning honour for a cultural icon who has spent decades mentoring, choreographing, and performing both in India and internationally.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, while congratulating Goswami, stated:
“Guru Jatin Goswami’s recognition is a proud moment for Assam and a milestone in India’s cultural history. His contribution to classical dance is both profound and eternal.”
As a teacher, writer, and cultural ambassador, Goswami continues to shape generations of dancers and preserve Assam’s spiritual heritage through the art of movement. This honour cements his place as a legend not only in Assam but across India’s cultural landscape.
