A comparative study of Kirtan Ghosha and Gopi-Uddhava dialogue of Sur-Sagar

Abstract

The eminent personality, Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardev (1449-1568) was the preacher of ‘Ek Sharan Naam Dharma’ and the father of Assamese literature, culture and society. Earlier Tantra-Mantra had immense influence in the Country till the advent of Srimanta Shankardev for which shakti puja, shiva puja etc. were widely prevalent in that time. Opposing to all the shakti puja’s, sacrifices of the lives, the tantra mantras, Srimanta Shankardev founded monotheism, which basic mantra is ‘Shelter- in- One-Religion’ (here ‘religion’ refers to the religion of Krishna). The neo-vaishnavite religion promoted by Shankardev preached pure devotion to Krishna. His ‘bhakti’ infused works can be devided into poetic, devotional texts, translational texts, one act play, songs and naam kirtan. Kirtan Ghosha comes under his poetic works, Naam Kirtan.

                  Surdas (1478 AD- 1583 AD approx) was a blind Hindu devotional poet known for his lyrics written in praise of Krishna  in Braja language. Surdas, the leading poet of Ashtachap, was an ardent devotee of Shri Krishna and even after being blind, he, in his works has been very successful in lucidly describing Krishna’s beauty. Surdas has described the Krishna character on the basis of the tenth book (skandha) of Srimad Bhagavat. 

                  The goal of this symposium is to conduct a comparative study of the Gopi- Uddhav dialogue of Kirtan Ghosha and Sur Sagar and bring Mahupurush Srimanta Shankardev out of the limitation of Assamese society and get his works and establish in the international level.