Management Practices in the Monastic Satras of Majuli: Problems and Prospects

Abstract

Satras are a unique product of the neo-vaishnavite movement initiated by Srimanta Sankardeva which was introduced to propagate the ideals of neo-vaishnavism around 500 years ago. These socio-cultural institutions were widely propagated by his disciple Madhabdeva and Damodardeva after the demise of Sankardeva in and around the state of Asssam. The Satra institutions contributed immensely to the socio-cultural and spiritual development of the Assamese people. The religious and cultural preachings endorsed by the Satras have been upholding communal integration and harmony amongst the Assamese people since ages. These institutions engrossed themselves to a large extent towards the spread of intellectual and cultural traditions of the people. The formal education of the residing (in-house) disciples of the Satra is also considered a part and parcel of the Satra institution amongst various other activities. These institutions have sustained various changes brought along with time and continue to perform various activities maintaining its glorious feature within a unique set of infrastructure.

As such, the management practices followed in the Satra instutions are of great importance more so in the light of the fact that they contain antiques, artifacts and manuscripts of immense historical importance and if we are to uphold this unique concept called ‘Satra’ which has been a source of identity to the Assamese community for ages now. This paper aims to study the management practices prevalent in the monastic Satras of Assam together with suggesting measures to make these institutions of immense socio-cultural importance economically viable in the long run.