MAJULI: CULTURAL ISLAND
The river island of Majuli is a centre of culture, crafts and handlooms. Angana Bordoloi is Founder, Kiron Foundation, an NGO that is actively participating in ground-level work from farming to the final products of hand-woven silk. The products are marketed by the brand name Studio Indigenous. Kiron Foundation is located in Majuli, the largest river island in the world. Angana shares her thoughts on Majuli and the foundation’s work.
Please tell us about Majuli
Angana Bordoloi: Majuli is a lush island located in the heart of the mighty Brahmaputra River in the north-eastern Indian state of Assam. It is the world’s largest river island. Presently, it spans 352 sq kms though was much larger in centuries past.
Majuli is regarded as the cultural capital of Assam as it is a centre of neo- Vaishnavism culture that is the worship of Lord Vishnu as established by social and religious reformer Mahapurush Srimanta Shankardeva (1449-1568). It is also home to the culture of indigenous communities as Majuli has a multi-ethnic population. These cultural aspects are manifest in a living heritage of religious songs and dance-dramas, crafts of mask-making and boat-making, and handloom weaving. The Mishing community weaves and wears colourful attire. Agriculture, sericulture, fishery, dairy, handloom weaving, pottery, mask and boat making are the primary occupations here. About a hundred varieties of rice grow in Majuli.
Image: Eri silkworms eating castor leaves.
Majuli once had 665 satras that are institutions or centres of learning and culture........
Please tell us about Majuli
Angana Bordoloi: Majuli is a lush island located in the heart of the mighty Brahmaputra River in the north-eastern Indian state of Assam. It is the world’s largest river island. Presently, it spans 352 sq kms though was much larger in centuries past.
Majuli is regarded as the cultural capital of Assam as it is a centre of neo- Vaishnavism culture that is the worship of Lord Vishnu as established by social and religious reformer Mahapurush Srimanta Shankardeva (1449-1568). It is also home to the culture of indigenous communities as Majuli has a multi-ethnic population. These cultural aspects are manifest in a living heritage of religious songs and dance-dramas, crafts of mask-making and boat-making, and handloom weaving. The Mishing community weaves and wears colourful attire. Agriculture, sericulture, fishery, dairy, handloom weaving, pottery, mask and boat making are the primary occupations here. About a hundred varieties of rice grow in Majuli.
Image: Eri silkworms eating castor leaves.Majuli once had 665 satras that are institutions or centres of learning and culture........
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