Sankardeva: The Social Scientist 

BOOK REVIEW :
Sankardeva: The Social Scientist 
                   International Bhaona artiste Arup Saikia recently published a book namely, Sankardeva: The Social Scientist.This isn't about biography of Sankardeva or about the history of Assam.It’s about the philosophical deeds and views of Sankardeva.It’s elaborately described regarding the socio–political scenario during the times of Sankardeva.Being Bhaona artiste,author Arup Saikia includes many events and aspects in the book from Saikia’s personal experience. The discourse on Sankardeva in English language is very less generally.So writer Arup Saikia decided to publish the book from the national capital,New Delhi.So that the people across the states have a chance for the glimpse of the book. The main targeted readers are non Assamese Indian and foreigners.  Sankardeva is undoubtedly an architect of Assam and the greatest personality of all the times.Sankardeva and his legacy are still binding and building the people of the particular geographical location . Sankardeva is a nationalist person, not religious. But he had to walk on the path of religion in the dark and dogmatic society of medieval India to reach the goal.
Through his philosophy and actions, Sankardeva not only transformed the religious landscape of Assam but also influenced its social, cultural, and artistic traditions. 
                       Most importantly Bhaona artiste Arup Saikia tries to highlight here Sankardeva’s tactical and prudent outlook on Neo–Vaishnavism .The culture and literature of Sankardeva is a living tradition.Arup Saikia's views on various matters are based on historical facts and research works around the world.It's like comparative study of the renowned philosophers and preachers across the globe.Here we present an excerpt from the book to go into the depth of the matter.”The people of other religious spectrum feels infringement of their religious egoism to recognise Sankardeva as architect of Assam.Therefore the greatest social luminary of Assam, Srimanta Sankardeva,not in centrally and spontaneously enlightened position.The genuine socio-political research has to be done with socio-cultural touch.”
The book delves into the liberalism of Neo–Vaishnavite that adjusted religious norms on circumstances relaxing the rigidity. Nationalism always defeats theocracy. Religion can't be a matter ultimately. Therefore Sankardeva hasn't propounded any religion or theory like monotheism or qualified monotheism,pure monotheism etc like the other Bhakti saints. The socio–political situation or economic condition of  Sankardeva's time drives his thought irrespective of religion. Sankardeva exercised democracy in a multi ethnic society, the remotest from mainland India.He was to raise Pan–Indian nationalism through literature in the name of “Bharatbarsha”.The book, Sankardeva: The Social scientist, clearly describes  socio–scientific expressions that bridged the gap between intellectual reformative teaching and everyday life.The motive is to foster deeper engagement and emotional connection to break down rigid social structure.The writer  sees the Bhakti movement is a spontaneous social outburst of the oppressed.As the theme of the book we can try to evaluate Sankardeva and Neo–Vaishnavism in socio–political perspective of India sidelining  religion. The core aspect of Sankardeva is only inclusivity and social equality to empower marginalized communities. Besides philosophy, the book covers Vaishnavite and medieval economy of Assamese monasteries (Satras).The reality of society is vividly narrated in Sankardeva, The Social Scientist.
His legacy continues to have a profound impact on Assamese Society forever.
The book has one hundred thirty eight pages.The ISBN is 978–93–91685–42–3, published by AAYU publications, Price rupees eight hundred fifty only (Hard Bound). The proper cataloguing is done throughout the libraries of the world.