Chapter 1: Preface
1.2 Research Context
Rapid modernization taking place in the 21st century especially in developing countries like India having multiple religious faiths has seen major changes in social, economic and environmental aspects. With these rapid changes, a major concern and challenge is to retain identity of socio-cultural institutions found in India. Design details of architecture and items used in these institutions with religious/social significance are hence, an important feature, which reveals the indigenous identity of these institutions.
This study, focuses on understanding and documenting the identity of a social-cultural institution associated with Vaishnavism known as “Naamghar” found in Assam so that the essence of it as identity of Vaishnavism can be institutionalized to facilitate translating it for Naamghar to be established in future. It focuses on three major aspects of indigenous identity of Naamghar (Fig. 1.1):
a. Visual design details of the exterior and interior of a Naamghar, b. Relation of design details with Vaishnava faith and
c. Spatial and temporal evolution of Naamghar.
Fig. 1.1 Schematic diagram of key aspects related to design elements of Naamghar
1.2.1 Visual design details of the exterior and interior of a Naamghar: These refer to the architectural design elements and also any additional details referring to relief work, floral designs, ornamentation patterns etc.
i) Architectural design details deals with the harmonious roofed structure with an apsidal or conical façade, the cross beams, posts and horizontal placement of wooden beams, the position of Rangiyal-ghar, window-beaded lattice work (kundraksha-jaala), gaps between the windows, edges and ridges formation and their placement, virtual division of space between the pairs of the main pillars as compartments or rooms without any wall or curtain, placement of varandas, lighting and air circulation inside and around the Naamghar. Use of extended pandals or shades, shedding coloured lights in the dim interior (also to be kept in mind), the weather conditions, gable type roof structure on residential huts, decorated arches, domes and various characters. Carvings are some of the architectural details which needs special mention. Design of main entrance to the premise
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of Naamghar, main door to Naamghar etc. are other architectural elements having enormous significance to its identity.
ii) Colour: From the beginning, colour played a significant role, like roof was formed by spreading red dyes, the colour of the Manikut (also called Guruasana)- a wooden throne adorned by hybrid animal motif, scarlet red colour of Chandratap (an ornamental cloth on top of Manikut), various other colours of the narratives on the walls of Naamghar and doors.
iii) Material: It includes the contribution of simple and locally available materials used in Naamghar like wood, bamboo, thatch, brass, clay etc. and how it has been changing as the society changed. Previously the walls were made using bamboo and wood, which is now transformed into cemented walls and thatch of roofs has been replaced with corrugated Galvanized Sheet. Natural materials were extensively used in Naamghar for decoration like chalk (kharimati) and mica along with glue, wooden carvings of Garuda, Hanuman, Krishna lila, birds and animals. Also carvings of tortoise-elephant-lion and other decorative wood work has been changing with some modifications. Door and wall panels, brass metal stands (Gosa) holding the diya (oil lamps), bamboo baskets, Xorai (to hold prasad) etc. were made using variety of material in them.
1.2.2 Relation of design details with Vaishnava sect: Vaishnavism was initiated in Assam in 15th century by Srimata Shankardeva and his disciple Madhavdeva. Due to this religious movement the initiation of cultural ecosystems like Satras and Naamghars had emerged. In these systems various performing arts, dances, arts and crafts like mukha (mask) making and puthi (book with sacred writings and scriptures) etc. were developed.
In Vaishnavism, the central aspect is Satra where religious and socio-cultural activities took place. In the central part of Satra lies Naamghar, which is at the heart of a village connecting people by offering platform for integrating religious, cultural and social values.
Naamghar became one of the most important public places for people to assemble after the daily rituals are over. Important discussions related to the village or community such as utilization of money raised from the various activities from the community, auctioning of fishing rights of common assets and agricultural practices/productivity were held. Thus Satra/Naamghar became identity of the Vaishnavism and its design elements acquired important place in the Vaishnavism.
1.2.3 Spatial and temporal evolution of Naamghar: Naamghar have evolved over a period of time. The basic philosophy of the Naamghar remains same but the change has taken place in terms of architectural design etc. Over a period of time due to non- availability of traditionally used material and skilled manpower for those materials has led to various transformation. Similarly, in recent times due to shortage of space in the cities, the size of the Naamghar had been modified. Busy lifestyle of the new generation has changed many things in the Naamghar. The architectural richness of Naamghar that stood testimony to its spirit is also losing out due to the growing impact of industrialized construction techniques; and changing pattern of construction workers with poor awareness regarding identity that the place should have is another important aspect. This poor awareness of identity of Naamghar amongst construction workers can be attributed to present situation where the construction workers are migrant workers from different cultural background. They implement/execute what is best known to them from their cultural background. Thus where migrant workers with Muslim background are engaged for construction of Naamghar, it is found to be influenced by Muslim architecture. Thus Naamghar is evolving in terms of its architecture over space and time.
When it comes to Majuli, land erosion due to flood is also one significant problem, since the island is on the bank of the river Brahmaputra and due to that massive physical loss has been taking place. With this situation, some Satras have been shifted out of their original location and this changing of location is leading to shifting of cultural connect of Naamghar with the society.