Vaishnav Pandit Sonaram Chutia

Vaishnav Pandit Sonaram Chutia

Vaishnav Pandit Sonaram Chutia (1915–2013) was a revered freedom fighter, Vaishnavite scholar, social reformer, and chief advisor of the Srimanta Sankardev Sangha, Assam's largest socio-religious organization. Born on 8th June 1915 in Bamkukurachowa Gaon, Kakojan in present-day Jorhat district, his parents were Jagiram Chutia and Fuleswari Chutia.

Early Life & Education

Sonaram began his education at Bamkukurachowa L.P. School in 1922. He passed his Matriculation in 1935 with distinction, securing letters in Mathematics, Sanskrit, Assamese, Advanced Mathematics, and Mechanics. He completed his B.Sc. from Cotton College in 1939. The outbreak of World War II forced him to pause his higher studies and take up a teaching position at Sivasagar Government Higher Secondary School.

Freedom Movement Involvement

In 1940, he left his teaching career to join the Jatiya Mahasabha (Indian National Congress), actively participating in the Quit India Movement of 1942. He was arrested by the British and imprisoned for over two years at Jorhat Central Jail, where he came into contact with other noted freedom fighters like Gopinath Bordoloi, Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed, and Pitambar Dev Goswami. Upon his release in December 1944, he was placed under house arrest for six months.

Devotion to Srimanta Sankardev Sangha

In 1946, Chutia joined Palakhani Ashram in Nagaon on the birth anniversary of Srimanta Sankardev. There, under Ramakanta Muktiyar, he began his lifelong journey with the Srimanta Sankardev Sangha. In 1956, he was elected President of the 28th Annual Session of the Sangha at Saraidoloni, Lakhimpur. Between 1956 and 1978, he was elected president nine times at various Sangha sessions, culminating in his presidency at the 47th session in Guwahati (1978).

After retiring as Headmaster of Teok Rajabari High School in 1975, he fully devoted himself to the Sangha and served as its Chief Advisor until his death. He also worked briefly as a Rural Development Officer in Golaghat district (1958).

Literary Contributions

Sonaram Chutia began writing in 1939. His writings, deeply rooted in Neo-Vaishnavite philosophy, played a significant role in preserving and spreading the ideals of Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardev and Madhabdev. His first book, Naam Dharma Prakash, was published in 1954.

Notable Books by Sonaram Chutia

  1. Naam Dharma Prakash (1954)

  2. Mahapurush Haridev Charit (1968)

  3. Axomor Vaisnav Darshanor Swarnarekha (1971)

  4. Bikhudgarror Bichitra Kahani (1976)

  5. Mundan (1978)

  6. Bhagawat Mahatyama (1984)

  7. Mahapusia Dharma Jigyassa (1986)

  8. Ved aaru Mahapusia Dharma (1988)

  9. Axomor Satra: Ek Anuhandhan (2003)

  10. Aami Bhagawanor Dakh (2003)

  11. Bhakti Ratnawali

  12. Huvor Okhodhi

  13. Ishwaror Sabbyabyapita

  14. Mahapusia Dharma aru Karmakando

Awards & Honors

  • Recognized as a Freedom Fighter by the Government of India (1972) and the Government of Assam (1973)

  • Srimanta Sankardev-Madhabdev Award (1994)

  • Srimanta Sankardev Award by the Assam Government (2000)

  • Jorhat Ekalabya & Dalit Daradi Award by North Eastern Research Organization (2005)

Death & Legacy

Sonaram Chutia passed away at the age of 98 on 30th January 2013 at Jorhat Medical College Hospital due to age-related ailments. He is remembered as one of the most influential Vaishnavite reformers, whose life embodied devotion, patriotism, education, and spiritual service.