Than & Sattra institution: a living heritage of Sankaradeva legacy

Abstract

Assam has a living heritage belonging to the legacy left by the medieval saint Srimanta Sankaradeva (1449 AD - 1568 AD). Known both as Thân & Sattra, this institution has survived five centuries and is still flourishing. Earlier it was known as Thân only. Later, the name Sattra also came to be used in the Eka Sarana Nâma Dharma, the religious order founded by the saint. The first Thân was set up at Bardowa in 1468 AD. Thus, Bardowa Thân has to be considered as the first unit of Sattra too. Nâmghar is an integral part of Sattra. The Thân, Sattra and Nâmghar control the socio-cultural lives of the people of Assam.

Srimanta Sankaradeva devised the model of Thân or Sattra in such a manner that the residents of that complex did not have to depend on the outside world for their requirements. The food requirements of the residents in Thân and Sattra were grown in the land owned by the devotees. Thân and Sattra were developed as ideal models for community living.

There was stress on those activities in Thân and Sattra which were eco-friendly and which could be pursued without impairing the productive capacity for the future generations. Moreover, cultural activities flourished to a great extent as well. Painting was a full scale occupation in the Thân and Sattra. Nin addition, Bamboo and cane are used profusely for handicraft items in the Thân and Sattra. Furthermore, Cultural activities like Sattriya dance, Bargeet, Ankiya plays evolved and flourished in the precinct of the Thân and Sattra.