NAMGHAR

Paper Title : Learning and Teaching

Paper code : 10300
Bed 1st Semester
Group No : 09
Presented to : Dul Kalita
Assistant Professor
 PRESENTED BY :-

 Sangita Borah (09)

 Dipshika Bharali (19)
 Sneha Roy (29)
 Rupak Jyoti Neog (39)
 Rashmita Bhujel (49)
 Tanaya Aich (59)
 Tapan Rajkhowa (69)
 Jintu Dutta (79)
 Jimpi Borah (89)
 Pronati Borgohain (99)
 CONTENTS

1. Introduction
2. Structure
3. Evolution in Assam
4. Famous Namghar's
5. Social Role
6. Spritual Role
7. Cultural Role
8. Educational Role
9. Negative Impact of Namghar
10. Suggestion to Improve
11. Conclusion
 INTRODUCTION

 In the genesis of the Assamese identity,The Namghar is the major pole bearers,playing the
multifaceted role of cultural centre, proto type panchayat and forum for decentralized planning
and decission making along with spritual and religious entity of Assamese people.

 Namghar is the place where the vaishnavite self of Assamese people offer their prayer to
god.Namghar literally means the house of names.The Assamese term ‘Nam’ stands for
Name(prayers) and ‘Ghar’ stands for house. It is a single structure where the Vaishnavite
hindus of Assam recite the Name of God. Namghars were introduced in Assam by the
Vasihnavite Saint Srimanta Sankardeva(1449-1569). He was the first rligious reforms of Assam
in the middle age.
 INTRODUCTION

 The general structure of a Namghar primarily have two major spaces- The
Monikut (The Santuary) and The Assembly space.The direction of Namghar
always situates in the east-west direction. The Alter(Guru-Asana) is placed at the
east-facing west in the Monikut. Medhis or Namacharya’s sit facing to the Guru-
Asana at the Assembly area and alter devoters sit in the raws parallally facing
north and south and to each others. Assembly space in open,large,bright and airy.
The main after ‘Guru-Asana’ have seven lired,friangular,wood thorned by
decorative woodwork. Guru-Asana is placed to worship the God Krishna.
 STRUCTURE OF NAMGHAR

(a) Korapat(Gate): It is the entrance of the Namghar and generally designed with lotus,
peacock,elephant and lion. It is also known as Baatchora.

(b) Rongali Sora(the front part of the prayer hall): It is a colourful shed in the space
between the assembly hall and the gate.This place is also known as Rongali Griha.

(c) Assembly hall: It is a large prayer hall built in traditional style and placed in the east
west direction. Open to all people irrespective of their diverse social and economic
background,it is the main arena of activity.This hall usually has an outer wall with the main
entrance at the west end.
 STRUCTURE OF NAMGHAR

(d) Manikut: The actual shrine where the sacredscripture is kept is called manikut.It is a
small structure than Namghar in eastern side.Manikut is literally the house 'Jewels'. It is also
known as 'Bhajghar' in western Assam,with its own roof. It is fully walled, with either no
windows or small ones and also function as a responsibility of important articles.

(e) Guru Asana: The Guru Asana, literally the seat of the Guru is a seven-tiered triangular,
wooden throne adorned by the tortoise, elephant, peacock or dragon motif and other
decorative woodwork. Idol worship is absent in a Namghar and no idol is worshipped, even
that of Lord Krishna in any form. The only object of veneration being the sacred text placed
on the top most tier of the Guru Asana. The Guru Message as well as the highest truth
propounded by him.
 FAMOUS NAMGHAR IN ASSAM

(a) Sri Sri Athkheliya Namghar : It is a prominent pilgrivage place of Assam and North
Eastern india.It is located at Basa Gaon,Golaghat, Assam.Ahom King GadaPani constructed it in
the year 1681 AD.The name cames from the eight kuris near it,this forms the world Athkheliya.
(b) Dhekiakhuwa Bor-Namghar : It is a famous Namghar at Jorhat district of Assam.It was
established by saint cum reformer Madhavdeva in the year 1461.He kindled an earthern lamp
and it has been burning till today with the help of the priest who religiously refuel it,as and
when required.
(c) Moinaporia Namghar : It is a famous Namghar situated at the Moina Poria village of
Jorhat district of Assam.It was established in the 17th century by few people which are
migratted from the bank of river Mannoi and thus the Namghar is named as Moinaporia
Namghar.
 SOCIAL ROLE OF NAMGHAR

a) Namghar as a community prayer hall .

b) Namghar as a proto-type parliament .
c) Namghar as a village court .
d) Namghar as a community granary & a place of shelter during natural calamities .
 SPRITUAL ROLE OF NAMGHAR

(a) Namghar is the identity of the Assamese Community.

(b) Namghar tried to make unity among people.
(c) It is a part and parcel of the Ek Yaran . Nava Vaishnava religion promated by Srimanta
Sankardeva tried to establishing a powerful community.
(d) According to praminent scholar Dr.Maheswar Neog, Ham, Deva, Guru and Bhakat are the
base of Nava-Vaishnava religion.
(e) Madhavdeva was a prime spritual successor of Sankardeva.
(f) Manikut is a musuem of Assamese resources spiritual wealth.
(g) The impact of the rule and regulatior followed in the Namghar have certain impact on the
villages all over assam.
(h) Different festivals are celebrated in Namghar.
 CULTURAL ROLE OF NAMGHAR

a) The Namghar led to the creation and development of drama,music and the stage.
b) Sankardeva constructed the 1st Namghar with the help of the initial followers. He
composed the prayers himself.
c) Recitations from the Bhagavata and religious discussions were held in this Namghar .
d) Sankardeva was conversant with the raga-based music and composed his devotional
songs- the Borgeets based on ragas. The language he used for all his Borgeets is Brajavali, an
artificial Maithili- Assamese mix .
e) Sankardev popularized his cult with the help of a pantomime where he developed a genre
of philosophy,art and music in the form of Borgeets,Ankiya Naats or Bhaonas .
f) The Staging of the Bhaonas in the village Namghar brings all the village folks under a
common cultural umbrella .
 CULTURAL ROLE OF NAMGHAR

g) The Ankiya Naats, which are full of music and dance, are acted even today in the
Namghars, and the entire village assembled to see on the stage stories from the great works
like the Bhagavata, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, which dealt with the deepest
problems of human life and religion .
h) Srimanta Sankardeva composed Bhaonas where people from all walks of life can take part
in the enactment of the Bhaonas in the Namghar .
i) No discrimination on the basis of caste or class or religion is made while distributing the
roles in the Bhaonas held in the Nmaghar.
j) The Vaisnavas introduced many new festivals and saints' days in their calender, and these
doubtless, widened the scope for dramatic performance and receations for the mind and spirit
of the worry-ridden common man .
 EDUCATIONAL ROLE OF NAMGHAR

a) Bhoanas represents worthy situations for direct learning and observation of moral
behaviour .
b) Ankiya Naat familiarise people with the greatness and antics of Lord Krishna to propagate
Neo-Vaisnavism deeper analysis reveals certain moral values imbedded in them.
c) It provides religious knowledge or spiritual education to people .
d) Emphasis on language learning like Sanskrit and Brajavali .
e) Equality of mankind and recognition of the worth and dignity of all things live .
f) It helps us in building up a progressive society .
 NEGATIVE IMPACT OF NAMGHAR

(a) Gender biasness .

(b) Leads to class division in the society .
(c) Many unscientific practices still followed by some Namghars .
(d) Role of Srimanta Sankardeva Sangha .
(e) More emphasis given on sprituality rather than establishing unity in the society .
 SUGGESTION TO IMPROVE

(a) We can develop Namghar as a living institution .

(b) Great cultural centres .
(c) A community communication centre .
(d) Developed its layout .
(e) Village Parliaments .
 CONCLUSION

The role of Namghar has been changing from a religious and cultural institution to the multi
- dimensional aspects of the local areas.In such context it is related with social educational
well-being and development as well as it transformed to a kind of local govt and authorities
to solve the problems of the locality. In modern contemporary days Namghar's are playing a
significant role as the proper platform of holistic development of the children.By organising
various socio-cultural and educational activities and workshops the Namghar today modify
enricher the all around development of the children as well as the unity in diversity among
the people of Assam.
THANK YOU
ANY QUESTION ?