Bhattadeva (1558–1638), (Baikunthanatha Bhagavata Bhattacharya) is acknowledged as the father of Assamese prose.[7] Though Bhaktiratnakar-katha, the Assamese translation of Sankardev's Sanskrit composition Bhaktiratnakar by Gopala Charana Dwija preceded the works of Bhattadeva,[8] Bhattadeva's prose had an influence in the development of a high and dignified style. Bhattadeva's and Gopala Charana Dvija's 16th century works are considered to be the earliest examples of prose in Indian languages.[9] Bhattadeva's erudition in Sanskrit grammar and literature, and his command over the Bhagavata earned him the title of Bhagavata Bhattacharya.[10]
Biography
Bhattadeva was born to Chandra Bharati and Tara Devi in a Brahmin family of Bichankuchi, Bajali (Kamrup).[11] After finishing his education he became a disciple of Damodara Deva and succeeded him as the head of Patbausi satra at Barpeta. He established the Byaskuchi satra some time later where he died. He is best known for Katha Bhagavat and Katha Gita, though some minor works like Saranamalika and Prasangamala are also ascribed to him.[12][13][14]
Work
Bhattadeva began translating the Sanskrit Bhagavata into Assamese prose at the bidding of Damodaradeva, who wanted it to be accessible to the common man. He rendered Katha Bhagavata in a discursive style that is dignified and balanced.[15] He maintains the same sense of dialogue in the Katha Gita. Though he uses short sentences, popular vocabulary and the expressive cadence of the colloquial,[16] he uses Sanskrit vocables heavily and his language is an elevated one.[17] After completing the Bhagavata and the Gita, he rendered the Bhaktiratnavali into elegant prose. He also compiled a book of devotional verses in Sanskrit gleaned from the Upanishads, Puranas and Samhitas illustrating all the elements of Bhakti. The work, Bhakti-Viveka reveals extensive knowledge and erudition of Bhattadeva, from the vedic to the puranic literature. Bhattadeva's contributions are not confined to prose literature, he wrote poetry also.[18]
^"..it was Bhattadeva who gave a distinct shape to Assamese prose... In all these writings traces of the Kamrupi dialect are quite distinct" (Goswami 1970, p. 7)
^"It was in his (Bhattadeva's) hands that Assamese prose was hardened, nourished and was fitted for the expression of high spiritual matters" (Barua 1953, p. 129).
^"Bhattadeva had a profound grammar and literature which earned for him the title of Bhagavata Bhattacharya" (versed in the Bhagavata). (Barua 1953, p. 131)
^The Assam Quarterly: Volume 2. Assam Academy for Cultural Relations. 1962.
Bibliography
Barua, B. K. (1953), "Early Assamese Prose", in Kakati, Banikanta (ed.), Aspects of Early Assamese Literature, Gauhati: Gauhati University
Goswami, Upendranath (1970), A Study on Kamrupi: A Dialect of Assamese, Gauhati: Department of Historical and Antiquarian Studies
Saikia, Nagen (1997), "Assamese", in Paniker, K. Ayyappa (ed.), Medieval Indian Literature, vol. 1, New Delhi: Sahitya Akademi, pp. 3–20
Sarma, Satyendranath (1987), "Bhattacharya, Baikunthanatha Bhagavata", in Dutta, Amaresh (ed.), Encyclopaedia of Indian Literature, New Delhi: Sahitya Akademi
