Assam’s linguistic and cultural legacy to be showcased at national forum

Assam's towering intellectual legacy will be celebrated in the national capital as the Pandit Hemchandra Goswami Foundation prepares to honour one of the state's most influential scholars at a major cultural event.

The foundation, working alongside Suraj Foundation, will host "Language & Legacy" on January 9 at Deshmukh Hall, India International Centre, from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm. The programme marks the birth anniversary of Pandit Hemchandra Goswami, whose work fundamentally shaped Assamese language and literature during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Dr Naba Goswami, grandson of the celebrated polymath, has spearheaded efforts to preserve his grandfather's contributions. His work has resulted in a partnership between the PHCG Foundation and the Centre for Indian Knowledge Systems at IIT Guwahati, established at the request of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2020. The centre integrates traditional Indian knowledge with contemporary scientific methods in its educational programmes.

Pandit Hemchandra Goswami (1872–1928) left an extraordinary mark on Assamese intellectual life. He enabled the publication of the first edition of Hemkosh, the authoritative Assamese dictionary by Hemchandra Barua, and wrote "Priyatamar Sithi," the first Assamese sonnet. His historical work included serving as a key resource for Sir Edward Gait's History of Assam and compiling Axomiya Sahityar Saneki, which documented 1,500 years of regional culture.

His systematic cataloguing of 233 historical chronicles resulted in A Descriptive Catalogue of Assamese Manuscripts, establishing the language's antiquity. He also served as the fourth president of Asom Sahitya Sabha.

The Delhi event will bring together prominent cultural figures, including sarod maestro Ustaad Amjad Ali Khan, Subhalakshami Barua Khan, and actors Victor Banerjee and Adil Hussain as guests of honour. The programme includes a keynote address on narratives in nationhood, the premiere of a documentary titled The Greatest Legendary Scholar from Assam: Pandit Hemchandra Goswami, and a panel discussion featuring Dr Uday Dixit, Partha Sarathi Mahanta, Sangeeta Barooah Pisharoty, Surjya Kanta Hazarika, and Mayur Bora.

A commemorative publication, Legendary Scholar Pandit Hemchandra Goswami, will be launched at the event. The programme will conclude with musical tributes to the late Zubeen Garg and Dr Bhupen Hazarika, followed by a violin performance by acclaimed violinist Sunita Bhuyan, who serves as principal curator of Suraj Foundation and has organised the event.

The PHCG Foundation, established in 2022, focuses on promoting science and Assamese culture through its collaboration with IIT Guwahati, conducting educational outreach for students across remote areas of Assam.