The Tradition of Vedic Chanting

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Proclamation of Masterpiece: The Tradition of Vedic Chanting

2006/04/04 07:04 Pressemeldung von:

 

United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural

OrganizationMasterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of

Humanity:

 

"The Tradition of Vedic Chanting"

 

Proclamation: 2003

 

Member State(s): India

 

Associated themes: Oral traditions and expressions

Rituals and festive events

 

Description:

 

The Vedas comprise a vast corpus of Sanskrit poetry, philosophical

dialogue, myth, and ritual incantations developed and composed in

India by the Aryans over 3,500 years ago. Regarded by Hindus as the

primary source of knowledge and the sacred foundation of their

religion, the Vedas embody one

of the world's oldest surviving cultural traditions. The term "Veda"

derives from the Sanskrit word vid meaning "knowledge". The Vedic

heritage embraces a multitude of texts and interpretations collected

in four Vedas, commonly referred to as "books of knowledge" even

though they have been transmitted orally. The Rig Veda is an

anthology of sacred hymns; the Sama Veda features musical

arrangements of hymns from the Rig Veda and other sources; the Yajur

Veda abounds in prayers and sacrificial formulae used by priests;

and the Atharna Veda includes incantations and spells. The Vedas

also provide an extraordinary historical panorama of Hinduism and

offer insight into the early development of several fundamental

artistic scientific and philosophical notions, such as the concept

of zero.

 

Expressed in the elegant Vedic language, which derived from

classical Sanskrit, the verses of the Vedas were traditionally

chanted during sacred rituals and ceremonies and recited daily in

Vedic communities. Although these texts were recorded in writing

fifteen centuries ago for reference purposes, their principal means

of transmission has remained oral to the present day. The

outstanding value of the Vedic tradition lies not only in the rich

content of its oral literature but also in the unique and ingenious

techniques employed by the Brahmin priests in preserving the texts

intact over thousands of years. To ensure that the sound of each

word remains unaltered, practitioners are taught complex recitation

techniques from childhood. These age-old techniques are based on

tonal accents, a unique manner of pronouncing each letter and

specific speech combinations.

 

Risk of disappearance:

 

Although the Vedas continue to play an important role in

contemporary Indian life, the Vedic tradition now faces numerous

difficulties owing to current economic conditions and modernization.

Of over one thousand Vedic branches that once existed, only thirteen

have survived. Moreover, four noted schools of Vedic recitation – in

Maharashtra (central India), Kerala and Karnataka (southern India)

and Orissa (eastern India) – are considered in imminent danger of

disappearing.

 

Action plan:

 

The action plan makes provisions for promoting research and

publications, establishing archives, producing audio-visual

documentaries on surviving teachers, supporting traditional schools,

developing educational programmes and exchanges between different

centres of learning and organizing lectures and workshops for the

general public.

 

http://www.unesco.org/culture/intangible-

heritage/masterpiece_annex.php?type=print&lg=en&id=66

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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