Syllabus: GS– I & V: Culture 

Why in the news?

A two-day symposium titled “Mahajagaronar Agradut Srimanta Sankardev” was organised at Jorhat by the Mahapurush Sankardev Kala-Kristi Gabeshana Kendra to mark the golden jubilee of the institution and to chart a roadmap for taking the legacy of Srimanta Sankardev beyond the Northeast.

Who was Srimanta Sankardev?

• Srimanta Sankardev (1449–1568) was the central architect of Assam’s socio-cultural renaissance.
• He founded Ekasaran Namdharma, a monotheistic Bhakti faith centred on devotion to Krishna, promoting equality, social harmony, and rejection of caste hierarchies.
• He was a rare polymath—poet, playwright, composer, dancer, painter, sculptor, mask-maker, weaver, and cultural organiser.
• Institutions like Satras and traditions such as Bhaona emerged from his vision and continue to shape Assamese society.

“Jagatguru”, yet regionally confined

• Although often called “Jagatguru”, Sankardev’s recognition has largely remained limited to Assam and the Northeast.
• Other Bhakti saints of the 15th century—Kabir, Mirabai, Guru Nanak, Chaitanya—are widely known across India and abroad.
• The famous question by filmmaker Satyajit Ray, “Who was Sankardev?”, symbolised this national gap in awareness.

Key deliberations of the symposium

• Scholars agreed that Sankardev must be projected as a pan-Indian cultural and spiritual icon, not merely a regional saint.
• Emphasis should be on:
  • His radical social reforms such as abolition of caste discrimination.
  • His vision of peace, unity, and humanism, highly relevant in today’s world of intolerance and conflict.
  • His role as a 15th-century social reformer and renaissance figure, beyond only religious identity.
• Comparative understanding with other Bhakti saints is important, while highlighting the unique features of Ekasaran Namdharma.

Way forward 

• A multi-pronged strategy involving:
  • Academic research and translations into Indian and foreign languages.
  • Inclusion in national curricula and cultural discourse.
  • Role of Assamese diaspora across India and abroad.
• The Gabeshana Kendra committed to forming a nodal coordinating body to lead this effort in a structured manner.

One-line wrap

The Jorhat symposium marks a decisive step toward positioning Srimanta Sankardev as a pan-Indian renaissance thinker whose message of equality, devotion, and cultural unity transcends regional boundaries.

Exam Hook – 

Question:
Discuss the relevance of Srimanta Sankardev’s socio-cultural philosophy in contemporary India and examine why his contributions deserve wider national recognition within the Bhakti movement.

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