The great Vaishnava saint and reformer Srimanta Sankardev
was born in 1449 in Alipukhuri, Nagaon. His father was Kusumber Bhuiyan and his
mother's name was Satyasandhya. Mahapurusha Srimanta Sankardev was a saint,
scholar, playwright, social and religious reformer, who is a great person.
Cultural and religious history of Assam. He had to play an important role in
preaching humanity and protecting human religion.The 'Ek Sharanya Naam Dharma'
propagated by him believed in the worship of Lord Vishnu. Mahapurusha Srimanta
Sankardev was a great scholar and a person with literacy talent. This great
saint died in Koch Bihar in 1568 at the age of 120.
Srimanta Sankardev Information
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Topic
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Information
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Name
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Srimanta Sankardev
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Birth Date
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1449 (exact date uncertain)
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Birth Place
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Bordow, present-day Nagaon district, Assam, India
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Death Date
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1568 (exact date uncertain)
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Occupation
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Saint, poet, playwright, social reformer
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Contributions
| Founder of the Ekasarana Dharma, a monotheistic sect in Assam, which later became a
part of the border Bhakti movement in India.
- Pioneered the Ankiya Nat, a form of one-act plays centering around religious themes,
which later evolved into the classical form of Assamese drama.
- Composed numerous devotional songs called “Borgeets'' and wrote important texts like
the Kirtans, Bhaonas, etc.
- Established the Satra institutions, which became centers for religious and cultural
learning in Assam.
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Legacy
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Srimanta Sankardev is considered one of the most important figures in Assamese culture
and religious history. His contributions to literature, music, drama, and social reform have had a
lasting impact on Assamese society. He is revered as a saint and cultural icon in Assam, and his
influence extends beyond the region.
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Followers
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Sankardev's followers are known as "Sankardevites." His teachings continue to be
practiced and revered by millions, particularly in Assam and among the Assamese
diaspora.
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Major Works
| Kirtan Ghosa: A collection of devotional songs.
- Bhaona: One-act plays based on religious themes.
- Borgeets: Devotional songs composed in various ragas.
- Ankiya Nat: One-act plays with religious and moral themes.
- Bhakti Ratnavali: A treatise on the Bhakti movement.
- Namghosa: A compilation of prayers and hymns.
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Influence
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Sankardev's teachings and cultural contributions have had a profound impact not only
in Assam but also on the broader religious and cultural landscape of India's Northeast. His emphasis
on monotheism, devotion, and cultural expression continues to shape the religious and artistic
traditions of the region. |
Srimanta Sankardev History
He was a very famous playwright, poet, singer, dancer and
social organizer of Assamese language. He did a great job of organizing and
connecting the lives of the people of Assam by propagating the Navavaishnav
sect. He was born on September 26, 1449 in Alipukhari village in Nagaon
district of Assam. Srimanta Shankardev did not give priority to idol worship.
According to his opinion, only one holy book is kept on the post on religious
festivals. This is called naivedya bhakti. He breathed his last on 24 August 1568
at Bheldonga place in Koch Bihar.
Vaishnav saint Srimanta Sankardev is considered a social and
religious reformer of the 15th-16th century. Shankardev has the same importance
in Assamese society as Bororwa station has in Assam. He is known for inspiring
the Bhakti movement in Assam. His thoughts were based on the Bhagavad Purana.
His teachings united the different castes and people groups in Assam into a
single cultural unit.
Sankardev supported a society based on the ideas of equality
and brotherhood, free from caste discrimination, orthodox Brahmin rituals and
sacrifices. He emphasized on prayer and chanting the name instead of idol
worship. His religion was based on the four facts of prayer to God, devotee and
Guru. He started a Bhagavata religious movement, which was also called
Neo-Vaishnava movement. There is a large population of devotees and followers
of Srimanta Sankardev in many areas of Assam and surrounding states.
Creations of Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardev
His major literary works are 'Kirtan Ghosa', 'Gunamala' etc.
The sacred songs written by him are known as 'Borgeet'. The plays written by
him are known as 'Ankiya Naat' and at that time Satriya dance was a part of it.
In 'Akhiyan Naats' Srimanta Sankardev used the style of storytelling through
drama, mostly depicting the lives of Lord Krishna and Lord Rama. His first
dramatic work was 'Chinhjatra'. Various 'Akhiyan Naats' written by him are -
'Kalia Daman', 'Patni Prasad', 'Keli Gopal', 'Rukmini Haran', 'Parijat Haran'
and 'Ranvijay' Nats. When he started school at the age of twelve, he wrote a
poem in praise of Lord Vishnu - 'Kartala Kamala Kamala Dala Nayana' without
using any vowels because till then he had learned only consonants.
Also Read:
In Conclusion, Srimanta Sankardev, also known simply as Sankardev, was a
15th-16th century saint, scholar, and social reformer from Assam, India. He
played a significant role in the Bhakti movement, particularly in the context
of Assam and its Vaishnavite tradition.