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Love for a classical language
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The mother of all Indian languages, Sanskrit seems to be losing its place in the modern world. But Mambalam Samskrita Vidyalaya is one of the few institutions keeping the ancient language alive.
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IT IS as beautiful as seeing a lotus grow on a charcoal hearth, said V.S. Karunakarachariar, Sanskrit scholar, poet and Director of SISI, looking at the near-full R.R.Sabha Hall. In the 21st Century, it's heartening to know that a Sanskrit play can have so many enthusiasts, he quipped.
This past week, the Mambalam Samskrita Vidyalaya staged "Kalidasa Vilasa" as part of its annual celebrations. Devoid of pomp and show, the programme reflected the 47-year old school's humble existence. Its octogenarian founder-principal, O.R.Rajagopalachariar, looking a quintessential vadyar (teacher) clad in dhoti and angavastram, related how a few genuine lovers of this classical language have over the years helped him pursue his passion. "In fact, whenever anybody volunteers to help organise such events, I hold on to them," he said in his frail tone, evoking laughter from the audience.
Interestingly, many of Rajagopalachariar's sishyas are elderly men and women. And the toppers among them walked up to the stage before the play began to receive their prizes for excelling in the various examinations conducted by the vidyalaya. R.Gopal, who has passed all the six exams, thanked the guru "for helping make the best use of the time and talent in the grey years".
But according to Devanathan, Rajagopalachariar's son and honorary teacher at the vidyalaya, "There are many young students too, whose knowledge of the language is not merely bookish. They converse flawlessly in Sanskrit and participate in plays staged by the school. We face a peculiar problem in organising such plays, as the participants have to be chosen not for their acting skills but their ability to speak fluently".
The school conducts the Vagvardhini Sabha every Saturday to help students discuss in Sanskrit and share their views.
At the end of the course, what the students can boast of is knowledge of the language. They may derive no monetary benefits as the course hardly offers any job opportunities. Perhaps they can take to teaching, join a museum as a curator or the Anthropology Department, he points out.
Initially, the vidyalaya conducted Kovidha, a set of five exams, which has now been increased to six and is called Vidya Bhushanam. "Though the course is equivalent to a degree, it has got no such recognition from the State Government".
The mother of all Indian languages, today Sanskrit is more alien than English. Sadly, the language has always been identified with mantras and shlokas and considered the prerogative of the Brahmins, especially those doing the religious ceremonies. Despite its rich literature, it is not treated like any other language, laments Devanathan, a Sanskrit lecturer at the Presidency College.
All the three sons of Rajagopalachariar have inherited their father's love for the language and apparently have a flair for it.
"Samskriti means culture and not knowing Sanskrit amounts to not knowing our culture. And not knowing our culture means not knowing oneself," says Devanathan.
The Mambalam Samskrita Vidyalaya is an offshoot of the Hindi Vidyalaya, which was run in early 1950s by Rajagopalachariar's brother, who was a doctorate in Hindi. Rajagopalachariar, a Sahitya Ratna in Hindi and a Sanskrit scholar, felt the need to start a Sanskrit school. In 1955, at the same premises, the Samskrita Vidyalaya opened its doors free for those interested in learning the ancient language. The school now gets a Central Government grant for voluntary Sanskrit education.
"Few years ago, we suggested to our father to increase the fee from Rs 1 to Rs 10. But he said, I am still feeling bad that I was forced to increase it from 50 paise to Rs 1," reminisces Devanathan.
At a time, when college and school admissions come for a price, here's a man who believes in imparting knowledge free.
CHITRA SWAMINATHAN
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