The sanctum sanctorum of the Batradava Than. Picture by UB Photos

Batradava (Nagaon), May 4: Manuscripts written on the bark of trees, exquisite masks and dresses used in traditional dramas and musical instruments dating back to the 15th century ? a museum containing all these and more will be opened to the public at the birthplace of saint-reformer Srimanta Sankardev this year.

The museum at Batradava, in Nagaon district, is part of the art and culture ministry?s Rs 17.26-crore project to turn Sankardev?s birthplace into the hub of Sattriya culture and preserve relics from the days when the patron saint of the Assamese used one-act plays to bring about social change.

Apart from the museum, the complex will have a cultural research centre, a Sattriya training centre, a library and a modern auditorium.

?This will be the biggest tribute to the saint-reformer, whose influence is felt in every sphere of life in Assam,? Radhika Mohan Mahanta, general secretary of the Batradava Than (monastery) managing committee, said.

Thousands of people, mostly pilgrims, visit Batradava ? also called Borduwa ? every year.

Sankardev left Batradava in 1516, at the age of 67, and started his famous tour of the state to propagate his Ek-Saran Nama Dharma.

Till that year, Batradava had been the saint?s base for his reformist movement. After he left Batradava, the place lost its sheen.

It was not until 1635 that it came back into focus, thanks to Sankardev?s grand daughter-in-law Kanaklata and one his disciples, Damodardev.

?It is a tragedy that we have lost many of the items used by the saint during his stay in Batradava. We are trying to collect as many as we can from any place which Sankardev visited. This objective of this project is to preserve his legacy for posterity,? Gajen Rajkhowa, another member of the Batradava Than, said.

Mahanta said modern techniques would be used to preserve the original writings of Sankardev and his most famous disciple, Madhabdev, in the proposed library.

The two-storeyed cultural research centre alone will cost Rs 25 lakh to build. Work will be completed by the end of this year.

?The Sattriya training institute will fulfil a long-felt need. We have experts here who will be able to teach and train youths interested in their culture and heritage. Both short and long-term courses on Sattriya culture will be introduced along with special training packages for visitors from outside the state,? Mahanta said.