Introduction
A two-day Sanskrit workshop (Level I) of Sri Aurobindo Foundation for Indian Culture (SAFIC), Puducherry, was organized very successfully by Dr. Y. N. Rao, a renowned linguist, on July 21 and 22, 2018, at the premises of Sri Aurobindo Bhavan, Hyderabad.
The workshop was attended by 50 participants in the age range of 9 to 80, including males and females and a child, belonging to the cities of Hyderabad, Secunderabad, Jagtial, New Delhi, Gurgaon, Nagpur Bengaluru, Visakhapatnam, Kakinada, Vijayawada and Dubai.
Both theory and practice of various aspects including pronunciation of the Devanagri script were covered during both the days of this Workshop. Sanskrit vocabulary, chanting of a few selected mantras/shlokas/devotional verses, singing of a few nursery rhymes/songs, etc., in theoretical and spoken Sanskrit were the other highlights of this two-day event. Mr. G. B. Shakti, a Sanskrit volunteer from Bengaluru, extended his active support during the spoken Sanskrit sessions.
On July 21, 2018, the workshop commenced at 10:00 am with the chanting of ‘OM’ mantra thrice, followed by observance of silence for a minute.
While Mr. Premchander, Chairman, Sri Aurobindo Society (SAS), Hyderabad, chaired the inaugural session, Mr. Srinivas Mulugu, Secretary, SAS, Hyderabad, welcomed the participants hailing from various places, mother tongues and age groups and gave a brief introduction about SAFIC, Puducherry. In his presidential remarks, Mr. Premchander stressed the essentiality and need to learn the Sanskrit language by one and all.
The Valedictory Function of this workshop was held on July 22, 2018, from 5 pm onwards. Mr. A. H. Prabhakara Rao, President, Veda Samskruti Samiti, Hyderabad, graced this occasion as its Chief Guest. The Function started with ‘VEDAPATHANAM’ by two Vedic pandits, followed by the rendering of prayer by all the participants.
Mr. Prabhakara Rao after briefly explaining the importance of the divine language Sanskrit, vividly explained the relationship between Sanskrit and other sciences. He further advocated that every citizen of our country should invariably try to speak in Sanskrit.
Later, the Chief Guest handed over certificates to the participants. This was preceded by valuable feedback by the participants, wherein they all expressed their happiness and full satisfaction over the venue, arrangements, topics covered and interactivity (participation, discussion, etc.) related to the Workshop. Dr. Y. N. Rao, Course Facilitator offered a ‘Vote of Thanks’.
The Workshop concluded with the chanting of ‘OM’ mantra thrice followed by observance of silence for a minute.
FEEDBACK
The following are the excerpts from the Feedback submitted by the Participants of the Sanskrit Workshop:
“I was very interested to attend this Workshop. I learnt important things. Dr. Y.N. Rao is a very knowledgeable person. He has a wealth of knowledge from whom we can learn many things. Arrangements are very good. Venue is appropriate for the Workshop. Food is too good.”
—Smt. Mannava Aruna (Dubai, UAE)
“This is the best opportunity I had. Interaction has given lot of happiness. It was a wonderful feeling!”
—Smt. Madhu Raman (New Delhi)
“For me it was a very educative experience. This is the first time I have participated in group recital of Mantras and Devotional Verses. In each one I actually felt the energy of vibrations. It was an experience beyond words.”
—Mr. Tej Swaroop Pathak (Gurgaon)
“I like this Workshop very well! After coming over here, I learnt how to pronounce Sanskrit words correctly. The way Dr. Y.N. Rao teaches Sanskrit is simply excellent! The frequency of this type of Workshop should be increased. ”
—Smt. Gudimetta Padma (Visakhapatnam)
“I am very, very happy to participate in this Workshop. I am glad that my childhood dreads of learning Sanskrit are fulfilled. I am not getting words to write about the success of this Workshop!”
—Smt. Jonnalagadda Anruradha (Kakinada)
“The Workshop is well thought of, organized and executed in a meticulous way. It was beyond our expectations. Interactive Sessions are stimulating and interesting. It will be worthwhile to have two to three Workshops in this year. Our appreciation to Dr. Y.N. Rao for his enthusiasm and boundless energy which has percolated through the Staff and Participants.”
—Dr. C. Ramji (Secunderabad)
“The arrangements are very good. Care taken in conducting the Programme and teaching Manthras and Rhymes is good. Encouraging the participants in chanting Manthras and to speak in Sanskrit is also very nice.”
—Dr. Sanga Swaroop Idury (Hyderabad)
“I remember my school days after attending this Workshop. The Workshop is like a ‘Gurukulam’ with the most pleasant and peaceful atmosphere in the premises of ‘Sri Aurobindo Bhavan’. The Workshop is very interactive and has kept us awake all throughout in the learning experience. Listening is the first mode of learning which has been very eminent in the Workshop. I am eagerly waiting for the next Workshop to attend. I am also interested to work as a Volunteer in any of the future Workshops.”
—Dr. (Smt.) Cheruvu Vishala Sarma (Hyderabad)
“This is the first Workshop I had attended but this gave me a wonderful experience. I learnt many things related to Sanskrit from this Workshop.”
—Mr. K. Surya Sri Sumanth (Hyderabad)
“It was a great pleasure that I had a chance to attend this Workshop. I learnt so many things related to Sanskrit. I hope to attend a few more Workshops along with my colleagues.”
—Mr. K. Datta Sai (Hyderabad)
