SHREEMANT SHANKAR DEV’S BHAKTI MOVEMENT IN INDIAN CULTURE
Abstract
Assamese culture and literature would be incomplete without Shreemant Shankar Dev. During his time, Assam or the north eastern part was totally unknown to the rest part of India and was considered to be in the swamp of darkness. He introduced a religion named “EK SHARAN NAM DHARM” which catches the eye of many people at that time. Through this medium he tried to bring light to the people of Assam and also to the north eastern part of India. Shreemant Shankar Dev travelled all over India for 12 years and made an effort to connect Indian culture with Assam and also the north-eastern part. By making coordination between religion and arts, in true sense he tried to make human race cleaner and discipline. In consequence of which, he succeeded in making a well- developed and culture rich society. This was an important step in regards to the unity of India.
Shreemanta Shankar Dev with his aptitude and literature (writing) established the Indian literature and culture in Assam and in the north eastern part of India. He brought the flow of Bhakti movement which was mainly influenced by Shankaracharya to Assam and north east India. Despite being connected to Adwetwad, Shankaracharya also knew the value of the culture vision. Shankar Dev is also believed to be the one who first introduced Hindi among the people of Assam by several researchers. Apart from this he also took the responsibility to introduce the concept of Vaishnav temple to the people of Assam. Shankar Dev established Sattriya Nritya, Borgeet which is now famous all around the world and it is considered to be a thing of proud for India. His disciplined and dedicated practices of his Bhakti vision flourished among the people of Assam not only in spiritual manner but together with the resources of arts had done an excellent work. As the Assamese people were known to carry an independent thought or nature, at that time Shankar Dev in one of his writing “Dhanya Dhanya Bharat Barish” tried to give them knowledge about nationalism (patriotism) which was a very influential step in Indian culture
