Bargῑt

Abstract

Those who are familiar with Assam know its inexhaustible store-house of musical resources. The vast range of lyrics in Assamese culture and literature include both oral and literary songs. Since time immemorial, lyrics or musical compositions associated with various rituals and festivity of the people, living in various parts of this region, still awaits due exposure. Apart from all such musical composition Bargῑts, originated in the hands of Sankardeva and Madhavdeva in medieval Assam, is a class apart itself. The great fore-runner of neovaishnavite movement Sankardeva awakened people of Assam at a time when an engulfing social stratification and prevalence of sense of intolerances vitiated fabric of Assamese society. In doing so he evolved his own cultural warfare. Bargῑts, are one of such strong cultural instrument of Sankardeva for attainment of his goal of monotheism aiming at eradicating vices that vitiate Assamese society. This paper attempts to make discussion on Bargῑts, a kind of noble song originated in medieval Assam, which retains its perennial appeal intact to win heart of listeners till.