# Bhotima

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{{Short description|Devotional hymn genre in Assamese Vaishnavism}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2026}}

{{Infobox music genre
| name              = Bhotima
| bgcolor           = 
| stylistic_origins = [Devotional song](/source/Devotional_song)
| cultural_origins  = Early 1500s – late 1700s [Assam](/source/Assam), [Neo-Vaishnavism](/source/Vaishnavism)
| instruments       = [Khol](/source/Khol), [Taal](/source/Taal_(instrument))
| regional_scenes   = [Assam, India](/source/Assam%2C_India)
| local_scenes      = [Sattra](/source/Sattra), [Namghar](/source/Namghar)
| other_topics      = [Borgeet](/source/Borgeet), [Bhaona](/source/Bhaona), [Ankia Naat](/source/Ankia_Naat)
| image             = File:Sankaradeva.jpg
| caption           = An imaginary portrait of [Srimanta Sankardeva](/source/Sankardev), the creator of Bhotima.
}}

'''Bhotima''' or '''Bhatima''' ({{langx|as|ভটিমা}}) is a genre of devotional hymn within the [Ekasarana Dharma](/source/Ekasarana_Dharma) tradition of Assam, composed primarily by the Vaishnavite saints [Srimanta Sankardeva](/source/Srimanta_Sankardeva) (1449–1568) and his disciple [Madhavdeva](/source/Madhavdeva) (1489–1596).<ref name="neog">{{cite book |last=Neog |first=Maheswar |title=Early History of the Vaishnava Faith and Movement in Assam |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass |year=1980 |pages=120–135}}</ref><ref name="barua">{{cite book |last=Barua |first=Birinchi Kumar |title=History of Assamese Literature |publisher=Sahitya Akademi |year=2008 |pages=85–95}}</ref> Bhotima means praise or eulogy.<ref name="bhuyan">{{cite book |last=Bhuyan |first=Suryya Kumar |title=Studies in the Literature of Assam |publisher=Lawyers Book Stall |year=1965 |pages=140–150}}</ref> Bhotimas are devotional compositions traditionally performed by singers known as ''Bhats''.<ref name="saikia">{{cite book |last=Saikia |first=Nagen |title=Assamese Literature |publisher=National Book Trust |year=2011 |pages=60–70}}</ref> Although they are sometimes rendered with a slight melodic intonation, they are not strictly lyrical in structure; hence, Bhotima is also referred to as ''Totoy'' and ''Chapay'', denoting lighter or semi-recitative forms of composition.<ref name="saikia"/>

There are four principal types of Bhotima. Three of these were composed by [Srimanta Sankardeva](/source/Srimanta_Sankardeva), namely ''Dev Bhotima'', ''Nat Bhotima'', and ''Raj Bhotima''. His chief disciple [Madhavdeva](/source/Madhavdeva) composed ''Guru Bhotima'', which extols the virtues and spiritual greatness of his guru Sankardeva.<ref name="barua"/> 

The Bhotima were composed in the [Brajavali language](/source/Brajavali_dialect), a literary dialect widely used in the Neo-Vaishnavite tradition of Assam.<ref name="saikia"/>

== Etymology ==
The term ''Bhotima'' is believed to derive from Sanskrit roots associated with praise or glorification, reflecting its function as a hymn of exaltation.<ref name="bhuyan"/> In ancient India, there existed a class of traditional singers known as ''Bhats'' or ''Bhatts'', who performed songs of praise called Bhotima.<ref name="bhuyan"/> Within the Neo-Vaishnavite tradition of Assam established by [Srimanta Sankardeva](/source/Srimanta_Sankardeva), different types of Bhotima evolved based on their thematic usage. The hymns praising the deity are known as ''Dev Bhotima'', those used in ''[Ankiya Naat](/source/Ankiya_Naat)'' performances are called ''Nat Bhotima'', and compositions glorifying kings are referred to as ''Raj Bhotima''.<ref name="barua"/> 

Similarly, ''Guru Bhotima'' comprises the devotional compositions of [Madhavdeva](/source/Madhavdeva), which extol the virtues and spiritual greatness of his guru Sankardeva.<ref name="barua"/>

== Historical background ==
The origin of Bhotima is closely linked with the Bhakti movement in Assam led by [Srimanta Sankardeva](/source/Srimanta_Sankardeva), who propagated a monotheistic devotion to Lord Krishna through the [Ekasarana Dharma](/source/Ekasarana_Dharma) faith.<ref name="neog"/><ref name="sarcar">{{cite book |last=Sarcar |first=Maheswar |title=Srimanta Sankardeva and His Times |publisher=Gauhati University |year=1996 |pages=210–220}}</ref> Sankardeva composed numerous devotional works, including ''[Borgeet](/source/Borgeet)'', ''Ankiya Naat'', and hymns such as Bhotima to disseminate spiritual teachings among the masses.<ref name="barua"/>

His chief disciple, [Madhavdeva](/source/Madhavdeva), further enriched this tradition by composing additional devotional literature, including Bhotimas that reflect deep philosophical and emotional devotion.<ref name="saikia"/> These compositions were integral to the religious practices established in [Namghar](/source/Namghar)s (community prayer halls) and [Satra](/source/Satra) institutions across Assam.<ref name="asgov">{{cite web |title=Vaishnavite culture of Assam |url=https://assam.gov.in |publisher=Government of Assam |access-date=27 March 2026}}</ref><ref name="satra">{{cite web |title=Satras of Assam and their cultural importance |url=https://sattriya.nritya.gov.in |publisher=Sangeet Natak Akademi |access-date=27 March 2026}}</ref>

== Literary characteristics ==
Bhotimas are marked by their lyrical and rhetorical style, often employing ornate language and poetic devices to convey devotion.<ref name="bhuyan"/> Unlike the more structured and musical ''[Borgeet](/source/Borgeet)'', Bhotimas are typically recited or chanted rather than sung in strict classical ragas.<ref name="saikia"/>

Common themes include:
* Praise of [Krishna](/source/Krishna) and his divine attributes<ref name="neog"/>
* Reverence to the guru, particularly Sankardeva and Madhavdeva<ref name="sarcar"/>
* Devotion to sacred scriptures such as the ''Bhagavata Purana''<ref name="barua"/>
* Moral and spiritual instruction<ref name="bhuyan"/>

The compositions are usually written in early Assamese with influences from Brajavali, a literary dialect used by Sankardeva.<ref name="neog"/>

== Religious practice ==
Bhotimas occupy a significant place in the ritual and cultural life of Assamese Vaishnavism.<ref name="asgov"/> They are performed during religious congregations in Namghars and Satras, especially during festivals and ceremonial occasions.<ref name="satra"/>

In many Satras, Bhotimas are recited as part of daily prayers and during special observances such as [Janmashtami](/source/Janmashtami) and [Raas Mahotsav](/source/Raas_Mahotsav).<ref name="toi">{{cite news |title=Neo-Vaishnavism and its cultural legacy in Assam |work=The Times of India |date=15 August 2020 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com |access-date=27 March 2026}}</ref><ref name="telegraph">{{cite news |title=Sankardeva’s legacy in Assam’s cultural fabric |work=The Telegraph |date=10 October 2019 |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com |access-date=27 March 2026}}</ref> Their recitation serves both as an act of devotion and as a means of preserving the teachings of the Vaishnavite saints.<ref name="saikia"/>

Scholars regard Bhotimas as an important component of the broader corpus of Assamese devotional literature, complementing other forms like Borgeet and Ankiya Naat.<ref name="bhuyan"/>

== See also ==
* [Srimanta Sankardeva](/source/Srimanta_Sankardeva)
* [Madhavdeva](/source/Madhavdeva)
* [Ekasarana Dharma](/source/Ekasarana_Dharma)
* [Borgeet](/source/Borgeet)
* [Namghar](/source/Namghar)
* [Satra (Ekasarana Dharma)](/source/Satra_(Ekasarana_Dharma))

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

Category:Assamese literature
Category:Culture of Assam
Category:Music of Assam

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Bhotima](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhotima) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhotima?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.