A significant contribution to Assam’s classical and devotional literature was made with the release of “Brajawali Arhir Nator Sankalan”, a compilation of Ankiya Naats, during the Asam Bhaona Samaroh 2026 held at Auniati Satra.

The book was formally unveiled by Pitambar Deva Goswami, Satradhikar of Auniati Satra, along with Arup Kumar Misra, in the presence of bhakats and Vaishnav followers.

About the Compilation

• Brajawali Arhir Nator Sankalan is a curated collection of 32 Ankiya Naats composed by Srimanta Sankardev.

• These plays are written in Brajawali, a literary language developed by Sankardev to communicate Vaishnav philosophy through drama and performance.

• The publication has been made possible with full financial support from the Assam Pollution Control Board, reflecting institutional involvement in cultural preservation.

About Ankiya Naat

• Ankiya Naat is a traditional Assamese one-act play that exemplifies the creative genius of Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardev. 
• These plays blend elements from Assamese puppet dances, Ojha-Pali and Indian theatrical traditions, and techniques from Sanskrit plays. 
• Twelve such plays, composed by Sankardev and Madhavdeva, are documented. 
• Sankardev’s works include Patni-Prasad (1st Ankiya Naat), Kaliya Domon, Rukmini-Haran, Parijat Haran,  Ram Bijoy (written at the request of Chilarai) and Keli-Gopal.
  • Chihna-Yatra was Sankardev’s first dramatical endeavour, though it had no written script. 
• Madhavdeva’s plays, also known as Jhumur, include Chor-Dhara, Pimpara Guchuwa, Bhojan Bihar, Arjun Bhanjan, Bhumi Letowa, and Nrisinha Yatra.
• Ankiya Naats are also referred to as Ankiya Bhaona. There is no significant difference between these two terms. 
• Generally, Naat refers to the written document and Bhaona is the performance of the play. 

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