- Another big step towards giving classical status to Assamese language
Guwahati/New Delhi, 22 July (HS): With the aim of further strengthening the dignity of the classical status of the Assamese language, a collection of five ancient Sanchipat manuscripts was formally handed over to the Rashtrapati Bhavan Library on Tuesday by Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra Samiti.
In a formal ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan, Kalakshetra Secretary Sudarshan Thakur handed over these invaluable manuscripts to Rashtrapati Bhavan Secretary Deepti Umashankar. Senior officials of Assam Bhawan, New Delhi, representatives of Assam Government and Government of India were also present on the occasion.
It is noteworthy that under the patronage of Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma and on the instructions of Chief Secretary Ravi Kota, the Kalakshetra Samiti collected these rare Sanchipat manuscripts by coordinating with various Vaishnav monasteries (satras) across the state.
Manuscripts that will now be displayed and preserved in the Rashtrapati Bhavan Library include 'Kirtan Ghosa' – written by the great man Srimanta Sankardev, donated by the revered Satradhikar of Sri Sri Dakshinpat Satra (Majuli), Sri Sri Nanigopal Dev Goswami. 'Adi Dasham' – a poetic translation by Sankardev based on the tenth chapter of Bhagavata Purana, donated by Sri Sri Nityananda Dev Goswami of the Satradhikar of Sri Sri Narua Kuji Satra (Morigaon). 'Naamghosa' – written by the great Sant Sri Sri Madhavdev, donated by Sri Sri Janardan Dev Goswami of the Satradhikar of Sri Sri Uttar Kamalabari Satra (Majuli). 'Bhakti Ratnavali' – Assamese translation of a Sanskrit text by the Mahapurush Madhavdev, donated by Sri Sri Bhavakanta Dev Goswami of Sri Sri Kamalabari Satra (Titabar). And, 'Geet Govinda' – a Sanskrit text by Jayadeva, composed in the court of Swargadeo Rudra Singha, translated into Assamese by Kaviraj Chakravarty, donated to Kalakshetra by Suren Phukan (Jorhat) and now handed over to Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Secretary, Kalakshetra expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the revered Satradhikars and all the persons who helped in the preservation and display of these manuscripts.
He expressed hope that this historic initiative will give new energy and wider recognition to the rich heritage of Assamese language.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash
