Sankardeva Kalakshetra Society signs MoU with 12 universities for cultural mapping of Assam’s ethnic groups

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaDecember 12, 2024

The Srimanta Sankardeva Kalakshetra Society (SSKS) has taken a significant step towards preserving the cultural heritage of Assam by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with 12 universities in the state.

The initiative aims to conduct a comprehensive cultural mapping of Assam’s diverse ethnic groups. The agreement was signed in the presence of Assam Cultural Affairs Minister Bimal Borah during a formal ceremony.

Taking to X, the minister wrote, “In a bold and pioneering initiative, Assam stands as the only state in the nation creating a cultural map of its distinct art, wisdom, philosophy, and ethnicity, to preserve its rich cultural and traditional identity for future generations.”

The MoU signing event witnessed the presence of key officials, including Sudarshan Thakur, secretary of SSKS; B. Kalyan Chakravorty, Additional Chief Secretary (Cultural Affairs); registrars and representatives from participating universities, such as Gauhati University, Dibrugarh University, Tezpur University, Cotton University, Bodoland University, and others.

Gauhati University registrar Hementa Kumar Nath, Dibrugarh University registrar Paramanda Sonowal, Tezpur University registrar Kailash Chandra Biswal, Assam University’s Prof Pijush Pandey, Cotton University registrar Arindam Garg, Bodoland University Registrar S Basumatary, Madhavdev University registrar Khirpada Dutta, Down Town University dean Utpal Dutta, Sankardeva University registrar Bichitra Bikash, Royal Global University registrar Diganta Munchi and Pragjyotishpur University vice chancellor Smriti Kumar Singha signed the agreement with SKSS.

The universities have been entrusted with the responsibility of collecting secondary data, records, and research materials to facilitate the cultural mapping initiative. Majuli Cultural University is also set to join the collaboration.

The cultural mapping project is spearheaded by the Srimanta Sankardeva Kalakshetra Society, which is under the aegis of the Assam Cultural Affairs Department.

The project will focus on documenting the art, traditions, and ethnicity of Assam’s various communities.

The project is guided by three high-powered committees: the General Advisory Committee (GAC), the Empowered Core Committee (ECC), and Expert Committee (EC). It is managed by a Project Management Team (PMT), which includes a project coordinator and director.

Significant progress has already been achieved in the project. Office spaces and other necessary facilities have been developed at SSKS headquarters. Initial Studies: Data collection and fieldwork have been initiated, with studies on the Tiwa and Rabha communities serving as model examples.

Books, reports, and other secondary materials are being procured to enrich the research repository.

This collaboration between SSKS and academic institutions reflects a proactive effort to preserve and document Assam’s rich cultural diversity. By engaging universities in research and data collection, the initiative ensures an academically rigorous and inclusive approach to capturing the essence of Assam’s ethnic heritage.

The project is expected to facilitate a deeper understanding of Assam’s cultural identity and contribute to the preservation and promotion of its unique traditions.