Vedic Chanting

[Guest guest]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/3480049.stmUN boost for ancient

Indian chants By Geeta Pandey BBC correspondent in Kerala India's

Vedic tradition, regarded by Hindus as thefoundation of their

religion and culture, could beheading for a revival. The vast body of

Sanskrit poetry, philosophy andrituals which make up the Vedas is seen

by India'sreligious majority as the ultimate source ofknowledge. But

the ancient tradition has been on the decline inmodern times. Now the

United Nations cultural organisation, Unesco,has formally recognised

it as part of the world'sheritage of oral history. It says Vedic

chanting is an intangible heritage ofhumanity. Recognition by Unesco

is expected to give a boost tothe dwindling number of Vedic centres

around India. Although the Vedas were recorded in writing some

15centuries ago, they are traditionally learned throughrecitation and

chanting. 'Symbol' In the southern state of Kerala, Vedic chanting

isvery much part of the curriculum at the BrahmaswamMadham school in

the town of Thirssur. Sitting cross-legged on the wooden floor of

a700-year-old temple, 25 young boys and their teacherspray to Lord

Krishna. Clad in white sarongs [i think they mean dhotis -Keval], the

boys are bare-chested, and their chantingis accompanied by ritualistic

hand movements. "Vedas are a symbol of India's culture and

traditionand they have to be preserved for thousands andthousands of

years "Kesavan student Here the children are learning about ancient

Indianscriptures and how the Vedas are considered to be thesource of

all human knowledge. Although Vedas were written down in ancient

times,they are mostly passed on from one generation toanother orally.

AM Kesavan, who is 20, has spent 12 years at theschool and wants to be

a Vedic teacher. "Vedas are a symbol of India's culture and

traditionand they have to be preserved for thousands andthousands of

years," he says. "My part in it is to acquire this knowledge and

passit on to the future generations." Kesavan and his fellow students

begin the day with adip in the pond at the crack of dawn. It is

followed by Suryanamaskar - the worship of thesun god. From then

onwards, most of the day is devotedto learning the scriptures.

Scholars say the Vedic tradition dates back to almost10,000 years BC,

but most historians say 4,000 BC ismore realistic. The principal of

the school, Vallabhan Namboodiri,says that when he was a student he

had between 55 and60 classmates. But he says that has all changed.

"Nowadays, students are reluctant and their parentsare reluctant

because they want academic studies sothat their children can get a

better job. "Also, nowadays most families have one or twochildren.

"Earlier, there were 10 or 12 children per family, sothey could send

one or two of their boys to study theVedas," he says. Action plan The

Unesco grant is a big boost for this ancienttradition, and it is hoped

that more people will nowbe able to take it up. Sudha Gopalakrishnan,

from the Indira Gandhi NationalCentre for the Arts, wrote the

proposal for Unesco. "With the help of this recognition people will

be moreencouraged to take up this profession," she says. "The

proposal consists of a two-year action plan -schools will be opened

throughout the country whichwill concentrate on Vedic chanting and

the studentswill be encouraged to take it up." As the day draws to a

close at the Brahmaswam Madhamschool, the children sit by the side of

the mossygreen waters of the pool. The water shimmers in the setting

sun, and the youngscholars recite mantras with their eyes tightly

shut. It is a picture of calm and serenity amid thecrumbling walls

and peeling plaster. The students and teachers hope recognition by

Unescowill help improve their lot and bring in themuch-needed funds

to repair the school. The last several decades has seen only neglect

andofficial apathy.

[Guest guest]

, Bhattathiri < to learning the

scriptures.

>

>

> Scholars say the Vedic tradition dates back to almost

> 10,000 years BC, but most historians say 4,000 BC is

> more realistic.

 

Namaste,

 

The sky as decribed in the Vedas is of about 8,000 B.C. However the

Veda is much older................ONS..Tony