Editing Traces of Nāṭyaśāstra in Aṅkiā Nāṭa (section)

== '''Structure of ''Sattra''''' ==
In the complex of ''Sattra'' is the ''Nāmghara'' (prayer hall), ''Maṇikūṭa'' (''Garbhagṛha/''Sanctum sanctorum of the presiding deity) and the ''Hātis'' (where the priests and their families live). ''Nāmghara'' is the space where the training and the performance of the drama takes place; also known by the name ''Bhāona ghar'' (literally meaning, that which facilitates artistic expressions). The structure of ''Nāmghara'' is canonical from the outside just like a cave as sage ''Bharata'' says, '''''śailaguhākāro dvibhūmirnāṭyamaṇḍapaḥ'''''<ref>Śloka 80, Chapter 2, Naṭyaśāstra</ref> which means that the playhouse must be made like a cave or mountain cavern in the ''Prekśāgṛhalakṣaṅaṁ'' (features of a playhouse) of ''Nāṭyaśāstra''.

Underside of the roof of the ''Nāmghar'' is painted with scenes from ''Purāṇa-s'' and ''Ithihāsa-s''. 
[[File:Garmur Sattra.jpg|alt=Ankiā Nāṭa stage|thumb|''Interior of Garmur Sattra, Majuli- Courtesy - <nowiki>https://majuliriverisland.wordpress.com/garmur-satra-majuli-island/</nowiki>'']]
Pillars support the roof of the ''Nāmghara'' and a temporary greenroom (''Nepathya'') is prepared in case of any performance planned. The actors enter the performing space through the two curtain outlets of the make-shift ''Nepathya''. This arrangement is in-line with the 69<sup>th</sup> śloka of ''Prekśāgṛhalakṣaṅaṁ'' which states that '''''dvāradvayaṁ cātra naipathyagṛhakasya''''' - meaning the tiring room should have two doors. The musicians are seated in front of this curtain facing the ''Manikuta'' (far end of the ''Nāmghara''). Performance happens between the ''Manikuta'' and the ensembled musicians. There is clear demarcation between the music ensemble and the performing space. The architecture of ''Nāmghara'' (interchangeable with ''Sattra'') resembles the ''Vikṛṣṭa'' (oblong) type of playhouse stated by ''Viśvakarma'' in ''Nāṭyaśāstra''. ''Abhinavagupta'' who wrote commentary to ''Nāṭyaśāstra'' defines ''Vikṛṣṭa'' as ''vibhāgena kṛṣto dīrgho na tu catusṛṣu dikṣu sāṁyena.''<ref>Śloka 8, Chapter 2, Nāṭyaśāstra</ref> In this context, ''Vikṛṣṭa'' means extended, drawn apart, protracted.