How to Preserve and Promote the Cultural Traditions of Assam?

Preserve Culture, Preserve Identity

A nation’s culture resides in the heart and in the soul of its people.
- Mahatma Gandhi

Culture:

The word ‘culture’ is itself an umbrella term. It is first used by Edward Tyler in his book
‘Primitive Culture’. Simply it can be said that culture represents the way of life. As human beings
have no identity without culture, it must be preserved and promoted.

Assamese Culture:

It is rightly acclaimed that Assam is a wealthy state. Various tradition and lifestyles of the folk
of Assam, precious art rich in creativity, the blending of homely and the sublime make the state
culturally abundant which fascinates the outsiders, especially the foreigners.

Saint Tulsidas once remarked that the culture of India is like a garland of various
flowers of culture and traditions. This also suits to the culture of Assam. The community of
Assam is divided into two groups- plains and tribes. The tribes of Assam have their different
culture, language and traditions. Though Assam is the land of various culture and traditions, the
Assamese culture particularly denotes the culture and traditions of the plain indegenous people
of Assam.

People without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots.
- Marcus Garvey

Ways to Preserve and Promote:

Now, when we think about the preservation and promotion of the culture of Assam, the first and
foremost way comes to our mind is to record it in pages. The authors of Assam must take the
effort to write and publish different books on the cultural aesthetics of Assam. Articles and
essays must be written to be published on magazines and journals and these must be translated
and published in various languages so that maximum people can read them. These must be
presented in different book fairs throughout the world to create awareness among the masses
about the beautiful culture of Assam. The scholars and students of Assam must take the
initiative to present papers on the relevance of Assamese cultural traditions at both National
and International level seminars and conferences.
The three kinds of Bihu, Rongali, Kati and Bhogali Bihu must be celebrated with great
enthusiasm not only by the people living in Assam but also by those living outside of Assam and
at every nook and corner of the world including NRIs so that others get to know about this
culture. The government of Assam should make some improvements and investments in the
department of Assam Tourism to create awareness so that the foreigners get to know about
the marvellous region and can visit Assam and make some anthropological researches on the
various ethnicities and cultural traditions of Assam. In this regard, Internet through websites
and social networks also can help in a greater way. The handloom products of Assam such as the
traditional dress ‘Mekhela chadar’ made from prestigious muga silk, traditional ‘Gamosa’ etc, the
traditional ornaments which are the embodiment of beautiful creativity such as biri, kundal,
kharu etc, then the bamboo products of Assam must be exhibited in different cultural
exhibitions. The government of Assam must offer financial help to the craftsmen to present
Assam at National and International level exhibitions. Attractive websites must be created for
online marketing of such products so that people from far-away places can get the access of
such products.

Various dance forms of Assam such as Satriya, Jhumur, and the famous dance form Bihu
along with the Bihu songs and extraordinary musical instruments such as dhol, pepa, gagana,
dhundubi, khunjuri etc. must be presented at various cultural programmes and festivals
organised in different parts of the world. The Satras and Naamghars are the embodiment of
Assamese culture and religion. These must be repaired from time to time and taken care of by
both the government and the local people of Assam.

Again, the government and the NGOs must take the effort to build museums across the
region to preserve each and every beautiful rare things related to Assamese culture so that
these things can not become extinct.

Negative Influence of cultural Globalisation:

The globalisation and open market creating cultural insecurity in the present day. Due to the
impact of globalisation, the attitude to life begins to change constantly. The impact of all these
falls on the language, dress, food habits, beliefs and traditions. Today’s youth consider it
shameful to speak their mother-tongue and give importance to foreign languages as superior.
The youngsters of our generation are getting more and more fascinated towards the Western
and Pop culture. Now the question is ‘will our beautiful Assamese culture and traditions be intact
in this globalised world where technology is influencing as well as affecting the lives of each and
every human being today?’ The answer is ‘yes’, it is possible only when the younger generation of
Assam takes this initiative.

Future of Assamese Culture:

The future of the cultural traditions of Assam totally depends on its younger generations. They
must realise the value and importance of their own culture and the cultural heritage. Though it
is necessary to know the way of life living by the people throughout the world and learn new
things as learning makes man knowledgeable and wise, and there is no harm in learning valuable
things from the West as Rabindranath Tagore said that the process of giving and taking
develops the bonding between the two. But at the same time it must be remembered that in
following the Western and Pop culture, people should not underestimate and forget their own
culture which is their own identity, their pride and most importantly their root. So the younger
generation of the region must take interest in the aesthetics of Assamese cultural traditions,
value them and learn it from the elders so that they can preserve and promote it in future.

Conclusion:

As every individual is born at the backdrop of some particular culture, it is the responsibility of
an individual to preserve and promote his/her culture. If the culture of Assam once gets into
the blood and veins of each and every Assamese, it would be easier to promote the cultural
traditions of Assam from generation to generation.

Submitted by:
Aditya Shastri
Class X – C
Email id- [email protected]