Majuli’s 600-year-old manuscript painting tradition struggles to survive despite GI tag

On Majuli, the world’s largest river island nestled in the Brahmaputra, an ancient art form continues to survive against the odds. Known for its Vaishnavite monasteries, Majuli is also home to a lesser-known but equally rich tradition, manuscript painting, a practice that has endured for over six centuries.

The art form was introduced in the 15th century by saint-scholar Srimanta Sankardev, who used visual storytelling to spread devotional teachings. Painted on delicate sheets of bark taken from the Agarwood tree, locally known as Sanshi, these manuscripts illustrate sacred narratives from epics such as the Ramayana and the Mahabharata.

Every stroke carries meaning. Using only natural pigments derived from vermilion, indigo, and white clay, artists consciously avoid synthetic colours to preserve the authenticity of the tradition. Each manuscript can take weeks — sometimes months — to complete, depending on its intricacy and scale.

At the heart of this preservation effort is third-generation artist Mridul Barua. Along with his wife Julie Barua, he runs one of the few remaining workshops on the island, training students in the painstaking techniques passed down through generations.

In 2024, Majuli’s manuscript painting received the prestigious Geographical Indication (GI) tag, recognising its unique regional identity. Yet, artisans say the recognition has not translated into sustained institutional support. Over the years, many historic manuscripts have been lost, and with fewer than a dozen workshops left on the island, the future of the craft remains uncertain.

Despite the challenges, the Baruas continue to teach — driven by a commitment to ensure that the materials, methods and stories embedded in Majuli’s manuscript paintings are not lost to time.

Their work, though modest in scale, stands as a crucial link between the past and the future, keeping alive an art form that remains deeply rooted in Assam’s cultural and spiritual history.