A workshop on "Manuscript Preparation and Painting in Sankari art form" was held under the aegis of SOCIETY FOR SRIMANTA SANKARADEVA (SSS) from July 7 to 11 at Dhing College, Dhing. SSS has already been engaged in global promotion of Sankari literature and culture through their popular website www.sankaradeva.com and different publications, workshops etc. Mridu Moucham Bora, who has earned reputation as preservation expert of Manuscripts as well as painter of Sankari art form, was the trainer in the workshop. Dr Sanjib Kumar Borkakoti, President of SSS inaugurated the workshop on July 7, 2013. He highlighted the need for commercial production of the paintings of Sankari art form in order to make this art form popular and economically viable. Co-ordinator of SSS Pradip Hazarika elaborated the activities of SSS.
Total 39 learners from different parts of Assam underwent training in the workshop. They were taught about the process of preparing the fine leaves where manuscripts were written and painted in the medieval era. Next the participants were taught the art of painting with Hengul and Haital. They were given hands-on training to handle these substances as well as prepare those from raw materials themselves. All of them successfully drew paintings on Sanchipat, which were later exhibited in the valedictory function. They were given a beautifully designed certificate on the completion of the five day workshop. They were given a beautiful certificate on completion of the five day course. Their names are :
1 NANDINI NILAM
2 GIRISH CH MAHANTA
3 UJJAL SAIKIA
4 NAYANA BORA
5 DIPSHIKHA MAZUMDAR
6 MISS LAKHYA JYOTI BORA
7 LIZA DAS
8 JYOTIRMOY DAS
9 JHARNA BHARALI
10 NAYANMONI BORA
11 MINTU KALITA
12 DIBYAJYOTI GOSWAMI
13 BISWAJIT BORA
14 NASRIM SELIMA HUSSAIN
15 DHIRAJ BORA
16 SUMONTO DEORY
17 NIKITA SAIKIA
18 RISHWITA HAZARIKA
19 ABHINOB BORA
20 SHIRSTI NANDA KASHYAP
21 PARASH BORA
22 PRIYANKA BORA
23 NIBEDITA DOLEY
24 HIRONMOYEE DOLEY
25 RUPJYOTI BHARALI
26 MOHAN BORA
27 MANJU RANI KALITA
28 RUMI ARA BEGAM
29 ANURAAG NATH
30 KUMAR DIUCK NATH
31 DEVIKA NATH
32 KASTURIMA NATH
33 RITUL BORA
34 HIMANGSHU SAIKIA
35 PRASANTA SAGAR BORA
36 SUBHANGINI NEOG
37 DEEPAK KALITA
38 DIPUL SAIKIA
39 KAUSTAV MONI SAIKIA
The workshop ended on July 11. The valedictory function was attended by eminent mask artist from Jokai Sattra, Girish Chandra Mahanta, who called upon people to preserve the Sankari art. Principal of Dhing College Dr Sarat Dutta inaugurated the exhibition of paintings. Dr Sanjib Kumar Borkakoti presided over the function. He promised to organize more such workshops if sponsors were available. Mridu Moucham Bora gave a report on the performance by the trainees. More than a hundred distinguished citizens of Dhing attended both the inauguration and valedictory function. Secretary of SOCIETY FOR SRIMANTA SANKARADEVA Neilh Gautam offered vote of thanks.