The Significance of Śaṅkari Music for Assamese Society

Śaṅkarī music is one of the oldest cultural and spiritual traditions of Assam. It was created during the Neo-Vaishnavite movement, which was led by Śrīmanta Śaṅkardeva and Mᾱdhavdeva in the 15th and 16th centuries. Based on the devotional melodies called Bargīts and enhanced by performance styles like aṅkīya nᾱt and bhᾱona (drama), Śaṅkarī music has evolved beyond its religious function to serve as a vehicle for identity development, social change, and cultural integration. It democratized religion by focusing on devotion through music rather than ritual, breaking down caste and class barriers and encouraging collective involvement in Satras and Nᾱmghars(community prayer hall).The tradition also boosted Assamese literature, theatre, and performing arts, as well as creating a unique system of rᾱgas and tᾱlas that elevated the genre to classical status. Śaṅkari music is still a live heritage today, representing spiritual depth, social peace, and cultural pride. This study focuses on its varied relevance, revealing how Śaṅkarī music continues to affect Assamese society's moral, cultural, and communal life. Caste and class boundaries were broken and community involvement in Satras and Nᾱmghars (community prayer hall) was encouraged by their emphasis on devotion through music rather than ritual. Śaṅkari music continues to influence the moral, cultural, and communal life of Assamese society, as this study illustrates. Keywords-- aṅkīya nᾱt, bargīta, sattras, nᾱmghar