Explore Assam

Explore Assam: Stories, Culture, Rituals, and Traditions

As a native of Assam, I've grown up immersed in its rich culture, unique traditions, language, and everyday life. This growing archive preserves these stories before they fade from memory.

Explore authentic tales and cultural insights from one of India's most beautiful and least understood regions. Whether you're curious about Assam's festivals, rituals, local customs, or history, this collection offers a closer look at what makes Assam truly special.

This page serves as an archive of my newsletter posts published on Substack. Click any title below to read the full story on the original site.

Explore the Archive

A. History, Kingdoms, and Heritage Sites

1. Sivasagar: Assam's Timeless Legacy

2. Majuli and Charaideo Moidams: Guardians of Assam's Heritage

B. Assam in Global History

1. Echoes from Assam: How Ledo and Dinjan Quietly Shaped World War II

C. Language, Literature, and Cultural Identity

1. Assamese: A Language of Unity in a Land of Diversity

2. Echoes of Resistance: Assam's Literary Voices in Conversation with America

3. O Mur Apunar Dekh

D. Sacred Spaces and Performing Traditions

1. The Namghar: A Spiritual and Cultural Heartbeat of Assam

2. Sattriya Dance: Assam's Sacred Rhythm and Spiritual Legacy

E. Land, Rivers, and Wildlife

1. The Brahmaputra: Life and Legacy in Perpetual Flow

2. Kaziranga: Where the Wild Rhinos Roam

F. Craft, Textiles, and Material Culture

1. Threads of Assam: Weaving Heritage and Culture into Every Fiber

2. Forging Tradition: The Timeless Art of Assam's Bell Metal Craft

3. Adorning Assam: The Art and Legacy of Assamese Jewelry

4. Bamboo: The Heartbeat of Assam's Culture and Sustainability

5. Threads of Tradition

G. Festivals and Everyday Rituals 

1. Magh Bihu: The Heart of Assam's Harvest Festival

2. Bohag Bihu: Celebrating the Spirit of Renewal in Assam

3. Kati Bihu: The Quiet Light Between Seasons

4. Tamul Paan: Assam's Time-honored Ritual of Hospitality

H. Foodways of Assam

1. Khaar and Masor Tenga: A Culinary Journey Through Assam's Land and River

2. Poita Bhat and Scrambled Eggs with Khorisa

3. Beyond the Heat: The Story of Assam's Bhut Jolokia

4. Steeped in Assam: The Legacy and Craft of Assam's Tea

5. Beyond Butter Chicken: The Rhythm of Indian Meals

I. Reflections on Home

1. Why I Write About Assam

2. Assam, Carried Forward