One must feel very fortunate and blessed to be part of a common society and able to celebrate their own cultural rituals with their community members while being miles away from their hometown. Many of us echoed this sentiment. Whether for higher education, career aspirations, to be with their children or other reasons, many of us have found our way to Bengaluru and made it our home. While some have been residing there for over decades, others have only recently begun their journey in the city. Despite being from various background or different walks of like, we are all united by a common thread of solidarity with Assam or our Axomi Aaai and bonded by a deep love for our culture.

For a long time, many of us aspired for a community hall of our own, particularly a Naamghar in Bengaluru, and the topic had been discussed for years in different forums. Indeed, this had been a long-felt need. Unfortunately, due to various challenges including matters related to land, those conceived ideas could not materialize for a long time.

However, with the collective efforts of a persistent and persuasive group of like-minded Bangalore based Assamese people, an initiative was conceived in the form of "Sreemanta Sankardeva Cultural Society, Bengaluru" (SSCSB) was set up in 2015 to give wings and carry forward the hopes and aspirations of the Assamese diaspora in Bengaluru.

In January 2016, we registered the SSCSB under the Society Registration Act of Karnataka, 1960, with the primary objective of building a Naamghar with a Cultural Centre to promote and showcase our rich Assamese culture and heritage. By the grace of the Almighty, and with the support of a local resident of Chinnapannahalli, Marathahalli, we managed to get a piece of land for building our Naamghar. Subsequently, we succeeded in building our Naamghar through a crowdfunded initiative, and the same was inaugurated with the Guru Ashana Pratistha ceremony on 15 July 2018.

The SSCSB today is a vibrant and dedicated organization committed to the preservation and celebration of Assamese culture and heritage. Established to create a sense of community among Assamese people residing in Bangalore, the society actively engages its members through a variety of cultural and religious events, festivals, and educational programs apart from various philanthropic and charitable initiatives. By organizing traditional festivities, artistic performances, and social gatherings, the society fosters a deep connection to Assamese traditions while also promoting intercultural exchange. Our mission is to provide a supportive space where members in particular and the larger Assamese community in general, can celebrate their cultural identity, share their heritage with others, and build lasting connections within the broader community. With a focus on inclusivity and cultural enrichment, the Srimanta Shankardev Cultural Society serves as a beacon of Assamese culture in Bangalore, enriching the lives of its members and bridging cultural gaps.

SSCSB has been the centre of community bonding for the Assamese people in Bangalore. The Naamghar has risen as the centre of all our traditional religious initiatives. In 2023, we had more than 350 Xorais being offered at Naamghar. The Bihu and Janmastami festivals are attended by more than 1000 of devotees and visitors.

Last year also saw Sattriya dance, Borgeet, and other cultural activities at the Naamghar premises. On the literary front, we publish the Xasipaat, an annual souvenir, featuring voluntary contributions from our members on various aspects of Assamese culture. Under the aegis of SSCSB, we have also conducted Bhaona(s) which was well received the whole of Bangalore cutting across all barriers.

Today, we feel proud and privileged that our dream of having our own community place and a Naamghar has become a reality. We strive to recreate the same spiritual ambiance that prevails in a typical Naamghar in Assam. Through our limited capacities and the support and dedication of our community members and volunteers, we have successfully carried forward the rich culture and heritage passed down through generations. Although, we still have "Miles to go, before we sleep!".