Assam Daughter Weaves Sankardev's 'Gunamala' onto Traditional Muga

Jorhat, January 23, 2020:

Jyoti Bora Dutta, a resident of the Charingia village in West Jorhat, Assam, has woven the Assamese saint-reformer Sankardev's 'Gunamala' onto fabric by traditional handloom method.

Dutta's effort is being seen as a push-in-the-arm for the traditional handicrafts industry of Assam, which has been ailing in recent times due to the mass industrialization and urbanization, even in rural areas.

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Meanwhile, pictures of Dutta's creation are being shared online by the people of Assam on social media to preserve the traditional Assamese craft and to encourage the locals craftmen and women to preserve the cultural identity of Assam.

The craftswoman has been lauded for her efforts to preserve the cultural identity of the State at a time when many fear that the culture, language, and identity of the State are under threat due to to Centre's amendment of the Citizenship Act that seeks to give asylum to non-Muslim migrants from neighboring countries.

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It may be mentioned here that the 'Gunamala' is a scripture written by Sankardev within one night at the request of Koch king Nara Narayan in 1552. It is an abridged version of Bhagavata Purana capturing in racy, rhyming and sonorous verses.

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