Pragjyotishpur Literature Festival, being organised by Shankardev Education and Research Foundation (SERF), is an important event, a first of its kind in the North-Eastern part of Bharat, because of its concerted efforts to explore the region through lenses of culture, history, and ethos that are inherent components of human society. The three-day mega event beginning on September 29, 2023, is themed as ‘In Search of Roots’.
Speaking about roots, it is often said that with strong roots, a tree stands stronger even when it is brained by adverse weather conditions.
For the tree to flourish, it must only be nourished by watering the roots. Hence, through understanding their roots, an individual can experience a sense of connection to the past and of continuity along with the present, thereby strengthening his or her sense of identity. Moreover, it helps individuals understand and appreciate their strengths and characteristics.
Situated in the North-Eastern corner of our country, the region called Astalakshmi or simply the North East is a repository of cultures and ethnicities of magnanimous diversity. Similarly, Assam referred to as a miniature India and as an anthropological museum, has been a confluence of different cultures and languages. According to descriptions found in the Puranas and the Tantras, the Kingdom of Pragjyotishpura (city of eastern light or city of eastern astrology) formed integral parts of Bharat since immemorial. Allusions to the region are also found in the epic Mahabharata, with Bhagadatta, an ally of the Kauravas and a prominent figure in the battle of Kurukshetra, being the ruler of the beautiful region.
The literature of Pragjyotishpura and Kamrupa during the ancient and medieval periods is marked by important works such as the Prahlad Charita and Hema Gauri Sangbad by Hema Saraswati. Hema Saraswati is referred to as one of the earliest known Assamese writers.
Another important work of literature that went on to leave a lasting impression on society is the Saptakanda Ramayana by Madhav Kandali. Before Neo-Vaishnavism, initiated by Mahapurusha Srimanta Sankardeva, Shaivism and Shaktism were dominant forms of faith among the masses. With the flourishing of the Ek Sharana Naam Dharma or the Neo-Vaishnavite Bhakti movement, a transition began to take place in society. Through ideas and philosophy coupled with the message of Bhakti and love propagated by the popular Bhakti movement, the region saw a gradual departure from dominant ideas and philosophies prior to that time. This Bhakti movement saw the emergence of prominent institutions such as the Satras and the Naamghars, where people, irrespective of their caste and creed, gathered together for the Naam Kiratana of the Almighty. Literature in the Shankari period is marked by the great works of Sankardeva and his favourite disciple, Madhavdeva.
Against the backdrop of all these historical developments lies a socio-cultural matrix that saw the emergence of diverse cultures with various ethnic groups such as the Aryans, mongoloids, Austro-Asiatic, and Dravidians. Thus, a distinct identity of the region began to develop based on the people and its geographic features.
Janjatis, or the tribes, who constitute a significant portion of the population in the region, are mostly of Tibeto Burmese ethnicity. As a whole, the North-East consists of more than two hundred tribes and sub-tribes, all of whom possess distinct identities marked by their respective language and culture. Irrespective of all these differences in their customs, cuisines, rites, etc., one major aspect that draws attention is the system of their traditional beliefs or the way of worship. The concept of nature worship is widely prevalent in their traditional ways of belief. Much like the idea of Pancha Bhuta, it views every organism and element of nature, including the sun and the moon, as living beings, the embodiment of deities, and therefore they command reverence.
This common thread is building blocks for most traditional faiths of the Janjatis. Furthermore, another important aspect is the concept of an afterlife. These elements of the traditional faiths shed light on the possible commonalities of different cultures at their initial stages. Moreover, they can provide scholars with insights crucial for unravelling ground-breaking information that can forever change our views and perceptions.
The Pragjyotishpur Literature Festival 2023 is a meticulous and visionary endeavour to fulfil this quest for our roots grounded deeply in this holy land of Bharatvarsha. Through its sessions on various enriching and thought-provoking topics, it attempts to shed light on important issues, thereby opening the floodgates for intensive research in the future. With the gracious presence and participation of eminent personalities and experts in their respective fields, e.g., Dr Robin Sharma, Malaya Goswami, Manju Bora, Arindam Sarma, Dr Lakshi Hazarika, Prof. Bibhash Choudhury, Anuradha Sarma Pujari, Dr Amalendu Chakraborty, etc., the three-day fest is going to be an enriching exercise to people across all walks of life.
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