usenet

UN boost for ancient Indian chants

By Geeta Pandey
BBC correspondent in Kerala
BBC
Friday, February 20, 2004

India's Vedic tradition, regarded by Hindus as the
foundation of their religion and culture, could be
heading for a revival.

[Caption] Children are taught to pray
to Lord Krishna and worship the sun god

The vast body of Sanskrit poetry, philosophy and rituals
which make up the Vedas is seen by India's religious
majority as the ultimate source of knowledge.

But the ancient tradition has been on the decline in
modern times.

Now the United Nations cultural organisation, Unesco, has
formally recognised it as part of the world's heritage of
oral history.

It says Vedic chanting is an intangible heritage of
humanity.

Recognition by Unesco is expected to give a boost to the
dwindling number of Vedic centres around India.

Although the Vedas were recorded in writing some 15
centuries ago, they are traditionally learned through
recitation and chanting.

'Symbol'

In the southern state of Kerala, Vedic chanting is very
much part of the curriculum at the Brahmaswam Madham
school in the town of Thirssur.

Sitting cross-legged on the wooden floor of a 700-year-
old temple, 25 young boys and their teachers pray to Lord
Krishna.

Clad in white sarongs, the boys are bare-chested, and
their chanting is accompanied by ritualistic hand
movements.

"Vedas are a symbol of India's culture and tradition and
they have to be preserved for thousands and thousands of
years" - Kesavan student

Here the children are learning about ancient Indian
scriptures and how the Vedas are considered to be the
source of all human knowledge.

orally.

AM Kesavan, who is 20, has spent 12 years at the school
and wants to be a Vedic teacher.

"Vedas are a symbol of India's culture and tradition and
they have to be preserved for thousands and thousands of
years," he says.

"My part in it is to acquire this knowledge and pass it
on to the future generations."

Kesavan and his fellow students begin the day with a dip
in the pond at the crack of dawn.

It is followed by Suryanamaskar - the worship of the sun
god. From then onwards, most of the day is devoted to
learning the scriptures.

[Caption] Not enough youngsters are entering Vedic
schools Scholars say the Vedic tradition dates back to
almost 10,000 years BC, but most historians say 4,000 BC
is more realistic.

The principal of the school, Vallabhan Namboodiri, says
that when he was a student he had between 55 and 60
classmates.

But he says that has all changed.

"Nowadays, students are reluctant and their parents are
reluctant because they want academic studies so that
their children can get a better job.

"Also, nowadays most families have one or two children.

"Earlier, there were 10 or 12 children per family, so
they could send one or two of their boys to study the
Vedas," he says.

Action plan

The Unesco grant is a big boost for this ancient
tradition, and it is hoped that more people will now be
able to take it up.

[Caption] It's hoped that more young people can learn
about the Vedic tradition

Sudha Gopalakrishnan, from the Indira Gandhi National
Centre for the Arts, wrote the proposal for Unesco.

"With the help of this recognition people will be more
encouraged to take up this profession," she says.

"The proposal consists of a two-year action plan -
schools will be opened throughout the country which will
concentrate on Vedic chanting and the students will be
encouraged to take it up."

As the day draws to a close at the Brahmaswam Madham
school, the children sit by the side of the mossy green
waters of the pool.

The water shimmers in the setting sun, and the young
scholars recite mantras with their eyes tightly shut.

It is a picture of calm and serenity amid the crumbling
walls and peeling plaster.

The students and teachers hope recognition by Unesco will
help improve their lot and bring in the much-needed funds
to repair the school.

The last several decades has seen only neglect and
official apathy.

More at:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/3480049.stm

Jai Maharaj
http://www.mantra.com/jai
Om Shanti

Panchaang for 3 Phalgun 5104, Monday, February 23, 2004:

Shubhanu Nama Samvatsare Uttarayane Moksh Ritau
Kumbh Mase Shukl Pakshe Indu Vasara Yuktayam
Revati Nakshatr Shubh-Shukl Yog
Vanij-Vishti Karan Chaturthi Yam Tithau

Hindu Holocaust Museum
http://www.mantra.com/holocaust

Hindu life, principles, spirituality and philosophy
http://www.hindu.org
http://www.hindunet.org

The truth about Islam and Muslims
http://www.flex.com/~jai/satyamevajayate

o Not for commercial use. Solely to be fairly used for the
educational purposes of research and open discussion. The contents of
this post may not have been authored by, and do not necessarily represent
the opinion of the poster. The contents are protected by copyright law
and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
o If you send private e-mail to me, it will likely not be read,
considered or answered if it does not contain your full legal name,
current e-mail and postal addresses, and live-voice telephone number.
o Posted for information and discussion. Views expressed by others
are not necessarily those of the poster.

harmony

un chief swami coffeeanand is catching on.

usenet

In article <103kihkrm1tl164@corp.supernews.com>,
"harmony" <aka@hotmail.com> posted:


That could lead to Washington and
Lundun catching on. One monkey do,
two monkey see.

Jai Maharaj
http://www.mantra.com/jai
Om Shanti

snoopy

And three Hingus chant.

What the heck is a "Hingu", Johnny boya? A rectal appendage like Pardip
Parikh?

k reader

This Naboodiri evil mleccha is the reason for the decline of all Vedic
knowledge. I can guarantee that nothing will come from any Vedic
chanting within this school, as it is evil! Even the name of Krishna
should not be uttered by a mleccha, much less a whole school opened by
them in his name!

kshatriya_bharat

You are one.