Pushpa Bhuyan

🪔 About

Pushpa Bhuyan (c. 1946 – October 7, 2015) was a distinguished Indian classical dancer, celebrated for her mastery of both Bharatanatyam and Sattriya. Hailing from Jorhat, Assam, she played a pivotal role in elevating Sattriya to its status as a classical dance form in India. Bhuyan's extensive training included learning Sattriya from Bhabananda Barbayan and Tankeshwar Hazarika Barbayan. She pursued Bharatanatyam at Kalakshetra in Chennai and further honed her skills under the tutelage of Guru Mangudi Dorairaja Iyer, Kubernath Tanjorkar, and Muthaiah Pillai. Additionally, she received training in Kathak from Guru Vishnu Vaishalkar. Throughout her career, Pushpa Bhuyan performed extensively across India and internationally, including in the USA, Europe, and Australia. She was instrumental in establishing the Pushpanjali Cultural Academy in Guwahati, an institution dedicated to imparting training in Bharatanatyam and Sattriya. In 1987, she initiated the annual Pushpanjali Dance Festival in Guwahati, providing a vital platform for emerging dancers. Along with her husband, Naba Kamal Bhuyan, she conducted extensive research on Sattriya Nritya, contributing significantly to its recognition as the eighth classical dance of India. Bhuyan also tutored numerous dancers, including her three daughters, who continue her legacy through the Pushpanjali Cultural Academy. Awards & Honours: Padma Shri (2002), North East Television Lifetime Achievement Award, Shilpi Diwas Award, Ambikagiri Award, AICA (All India Critics Association) Award for Best Classical Dancer, Great Indian Women Achievers Award, Kamal Kumari National Award.