In a glittering function at the Sankaradeva complex in the Panjabari area of the city, the President lit the lamp to inaugurate the cultural institution. The institution was named as an important part in the clause of the historic Assam Accord signed in 1985, after the protracted six-year-old anti-foreigner agitation.

After a rendition by Dadasaheb Phalke award winner Bhupen Hazarika, regarded as an ambassador of the north east, the President declared open the institution and hoped that it would further popularise the rich socio-cultural heritage of the people of the state.

In a 30-minute long address, Narayanan praised the ``overwhelmingly colourful Inaugural Ceremony with Hazarika's song resounding in the air'' and described the great 15th century saint Srimanta Sankaradeva as a father figure of the unityof Assam.

The President said Sankaradeva put Assam on the all India cultural map, teaching the philosophy of oneness of mankind.

Narayanan described the great saint as a ``myriad-minded genius'' who spread art and literature among the common people, which was a unique feature of Assamese culture.

Saying that he had ``never seen an organisation as the Assam literary society (Assam Sahitya Sabha), where people in lakhs attend its annual function'', the President said that culture was ``embroidery upon actual life''.