Teachings of Srimanta Sankardev towards Societal and Humanistic Development: A Retrospect

Abstract

The paper speaks about the Teachings of Srimanta Sankardev towards Societal and Humanistic Development. Assam is the abode of different ethnic groups with its various cultures and speaking different languages and dialects. The mix Assamese identity was initiated by the Saint Srimanta Sankardeva with his Neo-Vaishnavite Movement. The movement developed innovative institutions of Satra, Namghar and Thana which began to serve not only as the gadget spreading the trust, but helped to maintain and to stabilize Vaishnavism by making it as an indispensable part of Assamese social and cultural existence. Despite the fact that, Neo Vaishnavism was a religious movement, however, it has identified the culture of Assam has its bearing on the livelihood. As the doyen of cultural rebirth and forerunner of Bhakti Movement, Saint Sankardeva took on the conventional fundamentals of the society and pioneered cultural initiatives like Mask Art, Bhaonas, Sattriya Dance and Borgeet etc. which really defined the Assamese identity with its vibrant viewpoints of richness. Sankardeva’s Neo-Vaishnavism has given the birth to a novel Cultural patriotism highlighted on a nationwide identity shaped by socio-cultural traditions and language, not on the notion of universal ancestry or race.