Guwahati: The two-day Bina Chowdhury Srimanta Sankardev Heritage Festival 2026 brought together students, educators, artists and cultural practitioners to celebrate the life, philosophy and enduring legacy of Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardev. Organised by Shrimanta Shankar Academy in collaboration with Girijananda Chowdhury University (GCU), the festival was held on October 8 and 9 at the university campus in Azara, Guwahati.
Organised in memory of Late Bina Chowdhury, the festival aimed to inspire younger generations to explore, appreciate and preserve Assam’s rich cultural heritage.
Padma Shri awardee Jatin Goswami, who attended the inaugural programme as the chief guest, stressed the importance of passing traditional knowledge and cultural practices on to younger generations. He highlighted how cultural initiatives and competitions can help students understand their heritage and maintain a connection with their roots.
Kunki Choudhury of the Shrimanta Shankar Academy Society (SSAS) spoke about the life and contributions of Late Bina Chowdhury, as well as the lasting influence of Srimanta Sankardev. She also announced the establishment of the Centre for Srimanta Sankardev Studies at GCU.
The festival featured several inter-school competitions, including a heritage quiz, Assamese and English essay writing, art, Borgeet and Sattriya Nritya. Participants also attended workshops on traditional mask-making practices from Majuli and calligraphy associated with Assamese manuscripts, offering them an opportunity to engage with the state’s distinctive artistic traditions.
A panel discussion examined the contemporary relevance of Srimanta Sankardev’s philosophy and contributions. Eminent writer and columnist Jyoti Khataniar and musician Arunabh Jyoti Malakar participated as panellists, discussing Sankardev’s enduring impact on Assamese society, literature, music and cultural life.
The festival also featured the presentation of the Srimanta Sankardev Heritage Awards to Bokul Vrindabon Sanskriti Gosthi of Charaideo district, led by Nobin Hazarika, and Guwahati-based Harshitaa Ray Choudhury. The recipients were recognised for their contributions to preserving and promoting Sattriya culture.
The awards acknowledged their efforts to sustain Assam’s cultural heritage and carry forward the artistic traditions associated with Srimanta Sankardev.