Assam artist's classical manuscripts find place in Rashtrapati Bhavan library

Among other things, Assam's vibrant artistic and cultural traditions have garnered a high, profile national recognition, with a traditional artist from Nagaon, Mridu Mausam Bora, being featured in India's newly launched Bharatiya Classical Languages Library as one of the honoured artists. Through his work, which is based on the age- old Sanchipat manuscript, making tradition and the Taikham painting technique, Bora has become a part of a very significant project that is aimed at the preservation and promotion of the classical languages and cultural heritage of India.

Mridu Mausam Bora of Athgaon village in Dhing area of the Nagaon district of Assam was among the very few people who were invited in person by the President of India to attend the opening ceremony of the Bharatiya Classical Languages Library at Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi. This is a huge commendation of the continuous efforts he has been making over the years to keep alive and promote the endangered manuscript traditions and classical art forms of Assam.

Through his dedication and hard work, Mridu Mausam Bora has managed to gain international recognition for the revival of Sanchipat, a traditional manuscript made out of agar tree bark, which is then decorated by paintings in the Taikham style, a native Assamese visual art form.His meticulous craftsmanship has played a crucial role in preserving ancient knowledge systems while bringing global attention to Assam’s classical heritage.

As part of the Government of India’s initiative, four compiled books on Assamese manuscripts, a Sanchipat manuscript of Borgeet, along with Sanchipat sheets, traditional ink (mahi), and natural colour-making materials, all prepared by Bora, have been arranged for permanent display for visitors from India and abroad at the library.

Mridu Mausam Bora's work being brought into the national cultural institution is a momentous achievement for Assam and a strong reminder of the long, standing contribution of the state to the classical languages and artistic traditions of India. By acknowledging in this way, Bora's work acts as a link between the past and the present and helps Assam's classical manuscript culture to be permanently relevant not only at the national level but also globally.