Vedic Chanting

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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.