Letters to The EDITOR
Assam is fortunate to have two Vaishnavite mahapurush -- Mahapurush Sankardeva and his disciple Mahapurush Madhavdeva. The relation between the mentor and the disciple was such that the disciple tried to preach the preaching of his mentor far and wide which are very much relevant today. Xatras, namghars, bhaona, Xatriya dance, Naam bhaona were all parts of the teachings.
Emphasis is to be laid on today's upcoming generation to keep the culture alive. Our Assamese community has seldom been seen doing social works, apart from Bihu and Puja. To keep our culture alive and enhance the knowledge of our own culture which is very rare and rich beyond imagination of today's generation workshops by naamghars and temples, maybe with minimum fees, can be mooted so that along with our westernized concept of life, modesty and knowledge related to our own culture can be inculcated. Summer break is a good time for the same. Like drawing classes, it can also be started on a monthly basis on second and fourth Saturdays when most schools remain closed. That way, our temples and naamghars can also play the role of a school. A small step initiated will go a long way in reviving our slowly fading culture, and I believe it will be the best way to honour our great saints.
Purabi P Barua,
Guwahati.