The Thân or Sattra institution is a living heritage bequeathed to the posterity by Srimanta Sankaradeva (1449 AD – 1568 AD). Unlike most heritages, which are long dead, the Thân or Sattra institution continues to be a vibrant one. Earlier, it was known only as Thân. Later on the name Sattra also came to be used. The …
Than & Sattra institution : a living heritage of Sankaradeva legacy Read More »
Madhavadeva’s father Govinda Bhuyan was an accountant of Pratap Rai, the king of Banduka, presently in Rangpur district of Bangladesh. Forefather of Govinda had earlier migrated from Kannauj along with other Bhuyans. Govinda married a girl named Anuchita in Banduka. Anuchita died at an early age leaving an infant son, Damodar. When Damodar grew up, Govinda …
Srimanta Sankaradeva was the first playwright in all modern Indian languages. It started with his play Chihna-yatra, which was enacted in 1468 AD at Bordowa in front of 10,000 audience. His plays are known as Ankiya play. Enactment of the Ankiya plays authored by Srimanta Sankaradeva and his successor-disciple Madhavadeva is called Bhaona. Many plays …
Majuli, one of the largest river islands in the world has been in the news for last several years for the consistent bids to the World Heritage Committee, UNESCO for World Heritage status. The World Heritage Committee not only decides whether a property is inscribed on the World Heritage List, but also defines the use …
The Thâns and Sattras have played a crucial role in shaping the Assamese society. This institution created by Srimanta Sankaradeva in the medieval era helped Assam and the Assamese in getting modernised, in getting rid of medieval evils. One of these activities carried out by the Thâns and Sattras included the crucial task of spreading …
Role of Thâns and Sattras in spreading education Read More »
I have always considered Srimanta Sankaradeva as my role model. His multi-faceted contributions fascinate me. Our socio-cuItural lives are permeated by his influence even now. I feel proud that he was born in Assam. But very little was known about him outside Assam till some time ago. It has therefore been my endeavour to let …
It is generally assumed that the English philosopher, John Locke (1632-1704) introduced the concept of feminism in 1689 AD. Locke opposed patriarchal rule and the God-given right of kings. But his theories did not extend to the sphere of home. He believed that women were naturally and voluntarily subservient to their respective fathers and husbands. …
Location: Nagaon, Assam, India
