মাধব কন্দলীর রামায়ণে সামাজিক-সাংস্কৃতিক জীবন/ The Social-Cultural Life in Madhava Kandali’s Ramayana

Abstract

Madhava Kandali’s Ramayana, written in the 14^th century, is a credible paraphrase of Valmiki’s Ramayana. In translation, the author’s creative liberty is minimal. But the powerful poet Madhava Kandali strategically reflected the culture life of 14^th century Assam in his Ramayana. He include local Assamese culture, customs, belifes and social practices in to his work. Although Madhava Kandali composed the Ramayana under the patronage and at the command of King Baraha Raja Mahyamanikya, his primary objective was to make the immortal essence of Valmiki’s Ramayana accessible to the Assamese people who were unfamiliar with Sanskrit language. The depiction of simple, familiar and socially relevant miliece appropriate to the folk society of the 14^th century rendered the epic highly appealing to its readers and listeners.

            To facilitate his translation, the poet adopted the methods of omission, adaptation and modification, while also incorporating various indigenous elements into the narrative. As a poet serving under a monarchy, Madhava Kandali incorporated the seeds of his own practical experience into the epic while depicting royal affairs, the institute of Kingship and the system of gernance.

            The article reflect the medieval Assam social, economic and culture life which also include the caste system, the occupation of the Assamese, their food habits, clothing, ornament, religious beliefs and fold culture. It also emphasizes coeval social realities like economic hardships, social inequalities and belief in the supernatural and astrology. Through vivid descriptions of Assamese life and customs, this article represents that Kandali remodeled the saga into a precious source for understanding the fourteenth century social history and folk culture of Assam. So this Assamese Ramayana represents not only as a literary masaterpiece but also documents the medieval history of Assamese society.