''I want to share my understanding of Sattriya. Dancers should share their journey with children, scholars and art-lovers,'' Ms Mahanta said.
''Sattriya is one of the traditional expressions of our land. It is for sharing ideas about humanity, art and religion and how they are connected.
''I perceive the world and its cosmos through dance and share with you the positive energy of Bhakti philosophy radiating from the glorious 500-years-old tradition.''
The artform was originally used to present mythological teachings in an artistic way and is known as a vigorous and graceful dance, with a melodic and rhythmic structure, aesthetics, footwork and hand gestures.
It is one of the eight principal classical Indian dance traditions and was created in 15th century Assam by Vaishnava theatre founder and saint Srimanta Sankardeva (1449-1568).
Ms Mahanta (28) is a member of the Vaisnava monastery, in Assam, and started formal training in Sattriya when she was 6.
She is now an Indian Council for Cultural Relations empanelled artist and is completing a PhD on the North Eastern (Assam) cultural heritage of India at the University of Delhi.
Her performance, Rhythms of the Past. Dance in the Present, was hosted by University of Otago dance studies.
