Eminent Satriya exponent dies

Guwahati: Eminent Satriya exponent, Burha Satriya of Barpeta Satra Basistha Dev Sarma, breathed his last at Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) on Saturday afternoon.
Dev Sarma (84) was admitted to the GMCH early this month due to old-age ailments. Doctors said he was on life support for the last few days.
Governor Jagdish Mukhi, chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Union cabinet minister Sarbananda Sonowal mourned the death of Burha Satriya, recalling his invaluable contribution to the spiritual and cultural life of Assam. An ardent follower of neo-Vaishnavite saint and scholar Srimanta Sankardeva and his disciple Madhabdeva, the Burha Satriya dedicated his life for the promotion of Satriya culture. “Basistha Dev Sarma, a spiritual leader and also an erudite Vaishnavite scholar, worked for the promotion of Satriya dance and music. His death is a huge loss for the socio-cultural and spiritual epithet of the state,” said Mukhi. He added that throughout his life, Sarma worked for spiritual and intellectual uplift of the people.
The CM directed the administration to take steps for performing the last rites of Dev Sarma with full state honours.