Nagaon artist highlights Assam's Sanchipat manuscript painting before Union Minister Giriraj Singh

Traditional manuscript painting artist Sujit Das from Assam's Nagaon showcased the State's centuries-old Sanchipat manuscript painting tradition before Union Textiles Minister Giriraj Singh, urging greater national and international recognition for the endangered art form.
 

Das met the Union Minister and Textiles Secretary Neelam Shami Rao during the inauguration of Indi Haat in New Delhi, where national award-winning artisans, craftsmen, weavers and entrepreneurs from across the country had gathered.
 

During the interaction, he explained the historical, cultural and spiritual significance of Sanchipat manuscript painting, a traditional Assamese art form created on specially prepared bark of the agar tree using natural pigments such as hengul (cinnabar) and haital (orpiment).
 

He said the tradition of illustrating sacred texts, including the Bhagavata Purana, Kirtan, Ramayana and Mahabharata, on Sanchipat manuscripts represents an important part of Assam's artistic heritage and India's cultural legacy.
 

Das also called for greater government support for the preservation, documentation, research and global promotion of the traditional art form, which he said is facing the threat of extinction.
 

He is currently the only artist from Assam representing Sanchipat manuscript painting at the National Exhibition being held at the National Crafts Museum in New Delhi from July 10 to 19. As part of the exhibition, he is conducting live demonstrations of Sattriya-style manuscript painting using natural colours, introducing visitors from India and abroad to the traditional Assamese art.
 

Earlier this year, Das was awarded the Senior Fellowship by the Centre for Cultural Resources and Training (CCRT) under the Union Ministry of Culture.
 

In another milestone, one of his Sanchipat manuscript paintings has been selected for the 65th National Art Exhibition organised by the Lalit Kala Akademi, marking the first time the traditional Assamese art form has received recognition at the prestigious exhibition.
 

Das has also showcased Assam's Sanchipat manuscript paintings in more than 35 countries, earning recognition at the State, national and international levels for his efforts to preserve and promote the centuries-old tradition.