Srimanta Sankaradeva, regarded as the father Assamese literature, is a colossal figure in the cultural and religious history of Assam. Born at Alipukhuri, in 1449, he is also renowned as a prominent leader of Vaishnava movement. He initiated the Bhakti movement and named it as ‘Ek Sarana Naam Dharma’.
Sankaradeva translated a large number of Sanskrit Vaishnava classics and made popular rhymed versions of Vaishnava legends. He had also composed many scores of devotional songs and wrote and staged vernacular dramas. Chihnayatra, written around 1468, is considered to be the first Assamese Drama.
Srimanta Sankaradeva important works include Harichandra Upakhyan, Rukminiharan, Bolichalan, Kaliya Daman, Bhotima and Bhakti Ratnakar. Chihnayatra is considered to be the first Assamese Drama.
