Assam's Ancient Manuscripts Now Preserved at Rashtrapati Bhavan Library

In a move to honour the classical stature of the Assamese language, the Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra Society on Tuesday handed over a priceless collection of ancient sanchipat manuscripts to the Rashtrapati Bhavan library for preservation and public display.

The ceremony, held at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi, was marked by a quiet dignity. Kalakshetra’s Secretary, Sudarshan Thakur, formally presented the manuscripts to Dipti Umashankar, Secretary of Rashtrapati Bhavan. The event was attended by senior officials from Assam Bhavan, along with representatives from both the Assam and Central governments.

This initiative was carried out under the guidance of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and the directions of Chief Secretary Ravi Kota. Over several months, the Kalakshetra Society reached out to various satras, Vaishnavite monasteries spread across Assam, to gather these rare manuscripts that form the bedrock of Assam’s literary and spiritual legacy.

The manuscripts handed over include revered works by saints Srimanta Sankardev and Madhavdev, as well as a rare Assamese translation of Jayadeva’s Geet Govinda. Each of these texts, written on the bark of the sanchi tree and passed down through generations, holds centuries of devotion, language, and cultural memory within their delicate lines.

Among them is Kirtan Ghoxa, a spiritual text composed by Srimanta Sankardev, which came from the historic Dakshinpat Satra in Majuli. Another, Nam Ghoxa, written by his disciple Madhavdev, was brought in from Uttar Kamalabari Satra. The collection also includes Sankardev’s poetic translation of the Bhagavata Purana, known as Adi Dasham, and Bhakti Ratnavali, a Sanskrit work rendered into Assamese by Madhavdev. Adding a royal touch to the set is an Assamese version of Geet Govinda, translated by poet Kabiraj Chakravarti during the reign of Swargadeo Rudra Singha—donated by Suren Phukan of Jorhat.

Thakur, in his address, extended deep gratitude to the satradhikars and all those who contributed to the initiative. He said this was not just about showcasing manuscripts but about breathing new life into Assam’s literary heritage.

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