GUWAHATI, Oct 3 - Asam Sahitya Sabha UK (ASSUK) chapter observed for the first time a virtual celebration of the 572nd Sankar Jayanti on September 26 last, a press release stated.
This global event attracted the original vibes of Srimanta Sankaradeva�s �ghosa�, �thio naam�, �borgeet�, �bhor taal nrittya�, �khol badan� by award-winning artiste from Assam, Manoj Kumar Das and his team, and also drew a devotional picture of Lord Sri Krishna and Radha Dance Abhinay through a beautiful Satriya dance recital by 13-year-old Rudrakshi Dutta Chowdhury from Assam. The aim of this global event was to capture the talents of all three generations from different location of world. The dedication of the parents and the spirit displayed by four-year-old Navya and six-year- old Jonak Pahi Das chanting Lord Krishna�s prayer and borgeet and Mamtii�s speech on Sankaradeva created an inspirational scene.
ASSUK�s secretary, Geeta Borooah opened the programme and explained about Mahapurush Srimanta Sankaradeva and his religion �Eka Sarana Naama Dharma� and the four main principles of this religion. This was followed by president Manjira Chowdhury�s speech where she raised three proposals on behalf of the ASSUK to the Education Minister and the Cultural Minister of Assam. They were (i) to stop the Hindi serial on Srimanta Sankaradeva being showing on Doordarshan in Assam and to produce a revised version by further study about the Gurujona; (ii) to restore valuable Assamese books from the satras and libraries by treating them scientifically and maintaining them in proper conditions with adequate light and ventilation and also to digitalise these books for the convenience of the public; and (iii) to protect naamghars in Assam by providing security and appointing security guards on the premises. Following Manjira Chowdhury�s speech, all the EC members sang a ghosa.
Asam Sahitya Sabha�s current president Dr Kuladhar Saikia gave a speech where he thanked the ASSUK for holding such an auspicious event and keeping the Assamese diaspora united in the UK. Following that, Mrinalini Devi gave a speech where she described the history of Srimanta Sankaradeva, his talents and works for the society. Mayapee Chowdhury and Nirala Baruah recited self-composed poems where they both individually described the great works of Sankaradeva. Bhabani Kakati and Manjira Chowdhury sang borgeets individually.
A beautiful short animation film on Sankaradeva was shown for the first time on the ASSUK�s platform. The film was animated by graphic designer Angana Adhikari and her six-year-old daughter Adrika Talukdar. Also multiple award winner and researcher on Sankaradeva, Arundhuti Choudhury�s paintings were shown at the event.
The second generation UK born and brought up Rishi Chowdhury gave a sensational tabla performance.
Dr Nagen Saikia, the former president of Asam Sahitya Sabha, gave a speech on Sankaradeva and his work on social reforms and the protest he had to face during the preaching of �Eka Sarana Naam Dharma�.
The cultural programme ended with Manoj Kumar Das�s �bhor taal nirtya�.
People from all over the UK and abroad and many dignitaries such as Mrinalini Devi, Dr Nilima Bhagobati, Dr Jogen Kalita viewed the programme. Finally, Pari Gogoi gave the vote thanks to all viewers, participants especially from Assam Manoj Das and his team, and Rudrakshi Goswami, ASSUK�s EC members, the technical support Dr Mrinal Kumar Das and Mayuri Gogoi and ASSUK�s president Manjira Chowdhury for her dedicated hard work making the event successful.
ASSUK president Manjira Chowdhury speaking about the need to maintain the Assamese diaspora in the UK stated �Raijey nokh jokariley noi boi�. The cultural secretary Geetutpala Shah added that Srimanta Sankaradeva did so many good things for the Assamese people and Assam and that the ASSUK should do more by following his principles and spread his philosophy across abroad.
