HT Bureau
GUWAHATI, Feb 27: Internationally acclaimed archaeologist T Richard Blurton, former Head of the South and South East Asia Section at the British Museum, interacted with scholars and students at Gauhati University on Wednesday, highlighting Assam’s artistic and devotional heritage with a special focus on Vrindabani Bastra .
The session, held in the presence of Ballepu Kalyan Chakravarthy, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary to the Government of Assam, centred on placing Assam’s cultural traditions within a wider international academic framework. Blurton described Vrindabani Bastra as more than a work of art, calling it a reflection of cultural imagination shaped by faith, storytelling and community life and deserving of sustained scholarly engagement and preservation .
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The interaction prompted discussions on material culture, sacred traditions and artistic expression, drawing participation from faculty members, researchers and students. The deliberations explored ways to situate Assam’s heritage within global academic discourse .
Vice Chancellor Prof Nani Gopal Mahanta reflected on the legacy of Mahapurush Srimanta Sankaradeva, describing Vrindabani Bastra as a symbol of devotion and craftsmanship rooted in Assam’s spiritual consciousness. He reaffirmed the university’s commitment to advancing rigorous scholarship while preserving regional cultural foundations .
The Vice Chancellor also highlighted the philosophical significance of institutions such as the Naamghar and traditions like Ankiya Bhaona, which blend devotion with artistic expression within the Bhakti movement. The programme was attended by Prof Rajib Handique, Academic Registrar and Prof Kandarpa Kumar Sarma, Controller of Examinations, among other dignitaries .
The university said hosting global scholars such as Blurton reinforces its position as a centre for heritage research and cultural scholarship in the Northeast.
