JORHAT, March 23 — Impressed by the unmatched cultural repository preserved at the Vaishnavite monastic institutions in the river island, Majuli, Lerici Foundation, which is an officially recognised implementing agency for UNESCO, and based at Milan in Italy, has evinced interest in undertaking a bilateral research project on the State’s archaeological treasures in collaboration with the Gauhati University.
With the Foundation recently deputing French archacologist Raphael Rousseleau, who works for the organisation, to inspect and assess several sites of historical, cultural and archaeological interest in Assam and Meghalaya, including Majuli, had this to say in a printed statement made available to this newspaper: “I feel a proposal on proper preservation of Majuli’s vibrant cultural heritage may be submitted for implementation by the local authority and concerned population in close cooperation with regional heritage expert Dr Dilip K Medhi”.
Meanwhile, the husband-wife duo of Professor Mauro Cucarzi and Dr Patrizia Zolese, who are widely recognised for their experience and competence in heritage preservation and development, and who too work for the Foundation, have since been sounded by UNESCO’s official in-charge of Southeast Asia, to make it convenient so as to offer their services as and when required as consultant for a ‘possible project’ in Assam, the French archacologist mentioned.
Experienced in handling heritage projects at Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam and Myanmar, the couple who too visited the North-East sometime back, are reported to have been mesmerised by Assam’s ‘regional uniqueness’. “Two places which impressed them most was majuli with its Satras, priceless artifacts, paintings, handicrafts, songs, dance and centuries-old scriptures, besides the mysterious standing stones at Nortiang in Meghalaya”. Though the project under reference is yet to fructify, the couple along with their consul general at Kolkata had also met Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi at Dispur to discuss the proposal.
While the outcome of the meeting is being awaited with bated breath in concerned circles, Rousseleau, who is a specialist in megalithic monuments, observed about the State’s diverse tribal and non-tribal cultures, thus : “Between the central plain and adjacent hills, Assam appears like a beautiful synthesis at the crossroads of Indian and Southeast Asian influences”. Adding, he said, “The period of erection of megaliths in the Assam region differs from those in Europe. However, I think some comparison can be made about their purpose of edification, besides commemoration of events in Europe and North-East India. Anyway, it is those sites with big stones that interest me the most”.
Expressing concern that ‘treasure island’ Majuli’s very existence today stands jeopardised owing to altered circumstances, he neverthless added: “The interest of UNESCO will soon be concretised through the Lerici Foundation in collaboration with the Gauhati University”.
Excited no end after having witnessed the distinctive traditional customs, dance forms, drama and other cultural aspects galvanised by the Vaishnavite Satras at Majuli, the French man opined, “a lot can be done to survey and preserve the island and its heritage”. The hardly and skilful potters of Salmara and Dhowachlagarh too attracted Rousseleau’s notice, as he commented, “they merit special archaeological and anthropological attention”.