Traditional Art form of South Assam: Prosperity and Possibility

Abstract

Geography and population of South Assam i.e. Barak Valley have differentiated this area from other places. Wonder is the first response if and when an outsider approaches this valley from the point of view of its racial, religion, linguistic, cultural and ethnic diversity. In a word, Barak valley in itself is a mini-India. But the real-life force of the valley lies at the heart of its rural sector. The residents of the valley are the Bengali Hindus and the Bengali Muslims, the Dimasas, the Nagas, the Hmars, the Manipuris, the kukis, the Assamese speaking people, the Riang, the Nepalis and the tea garden labourers and various other tribes. Their intermingling since time immemorial has carved the natural way for a mutual interaction. Each community has enriched its immediate and remote neighbor. Although Barak Valley has its own rich art and cultural tradition but it is unseen to the outerworld due to its poor communication and different geographical condition.
In the area of folk art, the valley has a huge art treasure with full of variety and different ethnic and linguistic groups are engaged to develop their indigenous art forms in their own traditional ways. Of the indigenous art tradition, we find Pottery, Pati Work (cane mat), Bamboo Craft, Textile, Nakshi Kantha (Designed Quilt), Pata Chitra, Jute Craft, Sara Painting as the most prominent art forms of the valley. Art works created by the various community of the valley can easily draw attention to the art-buffs through their uniqueness and definite aesthetic quality. They can also arrest the attention of buyers and can thus do a lot in promoting and developing the valley’s economy. There is a scope to develop its own art identity on the basis of their folk-art treasure. But unfortunately, due to communication problem, lack of public consciousness and government patronization maximum folk art are going towards dying bed. So there a scope for in-depth study in this area which can give a new direction of an unexplored horizon to the art world.