Vedic Chanting

[bhattathiri]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/3480049.stm

 

UN boost for ancient Indian chants

By Geeta Pandey

BBC correspondent in Kerala

 

 

 

India's Vedic tradition, regarded by Hindus as the

foundation of their religion and culture, could be

heading for a revival.

 

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 [i think they mean dhotis -

Keval], 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.

 

Although Vedas were written down in ancient times,

they are mostly passed on from one generation to

another 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.

 

 

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.

 

 

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.