Sankaradeva's 567th birth anniversary observed

FROM A CORRESPONDENT

JAGIROAD, Oct 25: The 567th birth anniversary of Assam’s 15th century saint-scholar, socio-religious reformer and playwright Srimanta Sankardeva was observed with a three-day programme at Jagiroad from October 23.

‘am’ (prayers) were held on the occasion at gaon paper mill mghar.

Cultural processions were taken out and functions were held with the ectment of bhaos (dance-dramas) and dances composed by the Gurujo (Srimanta Sankardeva) on the occasion.

Considered to be an important figure in the cultural and religious history of Assam, Sankardeva had started the ‘Mahapurushiya Dharma’ (religion) that gave shape to a set of new values and social synthesis.

He had inspired the Bhakti Movement in Assam just as Ramanda, Guru k, Kabir, Basava and Chaitanya Mahaprabhu inspired it elsewhere.

With his literary and artistic contributions, he provided the foundation of Assamese culture by building on past literary activities.

Born to a ‘Sakta’ (believers of the doctrine of the Goddess) family in 1449, Sankardeva was against worshipping of idols or images of gods and instead focussed with his ‘Eka Sara’ (one god worship) more on the transcendental and spiritual side of religion.

Fighting casteism through his social revolution, he initiated people of all castes and religions, including Muslims, into his fold.

After leading an eventful life dedicated to enlightening humanity, he died in 1568 at the age of 120 years.