Thank you for reading my email. But I feel cheated because you commented without going into the details. If you read the link I attached and other available material, you will see that a great number of the Ahom kings did not favor Xankardev's movement, in fact hindered it. A few liked what Xankardev's followers were doing and patronized the Xatras. Thus it appears to me that adulation should go to those few kings only, not to Ahom rule in Assam in general.
">because of the people living in Assam" (--but not Ahoms -- since their king did not patronize 'xotriya' culture?)
Who were these people then?
I didn't differentiate between Ahoms and non-Ahoms for "people", it is one people.
I definitely did use a difference between the kings and rulers, and
the masses (non-royal Ahoms included). The masses helped develop the Assamese culture as we know it, despite the kings, some of whom helped the xatras while some didn't.
The following email I received from Manoj Das looks at Assamese culture little differently than I suggested and it is interesting. I don't know if Bihu is what Dr. Goswami had in mind.
The flag bearer of of Assamese culture, Bihu was originated in Xadiya
under the patronage of Chutiya kings, as per research findings of Dr.
Utpala Bora. Swargadew Rajeshwar Singha gave it royal patronage, and
constructed rangghar, the pavilion at Rangpur.
under the patronage of Chutiya kings, as per research findings of Dr.
Utpala Bora. Swargadew Rajeshwar Singha gave it royal patronage, and
constructed rangghar, the pavilion at Rangpur.
========================================================
Chan Mahanta <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
Chan Mahanta <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>Am I missing something here?*** What immediately jumps out is:">because of the people living in Assam" (--but not Ahoms -- since their king did not patronize 'xotriya' culture?)Who were these people then?*** The second one is that the 'xottros' WERE a creation of the Ahom kings with patronage and generous land endowments to the 'goxains' who ruled over the 'xotros'. In fact those land grants were what made the 'xotros' powerful, where the 'odhikaars' were not only the 'zomidaars' but also the gatekeepers to the gods.At 8:50 AM -0800 12/29/05, Dilip/Dil Deka wrote:Assamese culture may have reached its zenith during Ahom rule, chronologically; But did the rulers help? What culture are we talking about? Culture spread by the Xatras like Bhaona, Xatriya Nritya etc.? If so we cannot give a lot of credit to the Ahom kings' administration for the growth of Assamese culture. Xankardev was practically driven out of Assam to KochBihar and his followers were persecuted by the Ahom kings. Please visithttp://www.assamtourism.org/history_assam.htmI believe, despite the Ahom kings, Assamese culture as we know it, grew because of the people living in Assam, not nurtured or patronized by the Ahom kings.Am I missing something here? Dr. Goswami has done a lot of research and I have not. Could someone who has done research in this area point out where the disconnect is?Dilip Deka
Guwahati, Thursday, December 29, 2005
Assamese culture reached its zenith during Ahom rule
From Our Correspondent
JORHAT, Dec 28 Highlighting the magnanimity of warrior King Chaulung Sukapha in regard to his unique quality of refraining from imposing his diktat on the vanquished, Jnanpith award winner Dr Mamoni Raisom Goswami opined that Assamese culture reached its zenith during the Ahom suzerainty. Making major inroads into someone elses culture, or being able to make a significant dent were obviously more difficult tasks than winning wars on the battlefront, she felt.
Reiterating ! that, the Ahom age witnessed a cultural renaissance, she also remarked that, co-acting was popularised way back in 1927 at Hajo, whereas it was still an unthinkable proportion in other parts of India at that time.
The academician-cum-litterateur observed as above yesterday evening after formally releasing a childrens educational VCD titled, Seujia Gaddi produced by Parthasarathi Productions at the conference hall of Hotel More International beside the AT Road here.
Recounting interesting tales from Assams chequered history, the intellectual felt, Joymatis character was in fact controversial. Nevertheless, there was enough scope for producing appealing cinematic work or plays on such subjects. Mentioning about characters like Phuleswari Kunwari, Rudra Singha, Gaurinath Singha and Lachit Barphukan, she rued, I am yet to see a lifelike depiction of the great Battle of Saraighat. Is there not a single artist with enough calibre, she questioned.
Earli! er, Dr Paramananda Rajbongshi termed the multifaceted 15th century saint reformer Srimanta Sankardeva as the worlds first art guru.
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