GUWAHATI: In a landmark development for Assamese literature, the Asam Sahitya Sabha (ASS) is gearing up to establish a literary and cultural museum in Jorhat, Upper Assam.
This unique museum aims to showcase a replica of the original version of the first Assamese book ever printed, 'Dharmapustak' – a translation of the Holy Bible.
The original 864-page volume, printed by Baptist missionary Willim Carey in 1813 and translated into Assamese by Atmaram Sarma, is currently preserved at the British Library in London.
The ASS President, Surjya Hazarika, revealed to the media on Monday that a meticulous plan is underway to construct the museum at an estimated cost of around ₹5 crore.
The initiative involves creating a replica of the 'Dharmapustak,' complete with scanned pages mirroring the original version, for display in the upcoming museum.
The scanned pages have been brought to Assam, and the meticulous process of replicating this priceless treasure of Assamese literature is already in progress.
Hazarika emphasised the historical significance of the 'Dharmapustak,' highlighting that the original edition was printed in Srirampur, Bengal, and was not available in Assam.
The absence of copies in the region prompted the ASS to take this initiative, providing a unique opportunity for the people of Assam to witness and appreciate the linguistic and literary heritage of their culture.
"The museum will offer a glimpse into the linguistic landscape of Assamese at that time," said Hazarika, underscoring the importance of understanding the evolution of the Assamese language through this remarkable exhibit.
Additionally, the museum will feature a replica of the illustrated 'Kirtan Ghosa,' originally written in Brajawali, by the revered Srimanta Sankardeva.
This artifact, obtained with special permission from the British Library, is set to further enrich the cultural tapestry presented by the museum.
Hazarika further elaborated that the museum, a first-of-its-kind initiative, will house an extensive collection of rare books penned in the state. Among the hundreds of prized collections, visitors can expect to find replicas of ancient texts in the form of manuscripts, sanchipats, and rock inscriptions.
