In an effort to draw more people to learn Sanskrit, Karnataka Sanskrit University has framed new textbooks to make learning easier for about 45,000 students across the State, from high school level to post-graduation.
University Vice-Chancellor Mallepuram G. Venkatesh said that the change had been made for reaching out to more students. He said that the revised textbooks will particularly help dispel the fear of Sanskrit grammar among students. He said that the university had not sacrificed quality in the process.
New methodology
Dean-Language Faculty, Srinivasa Varakhedi, said that modern and scientific methodology had been followed while reframing the textbooks. There were more colour graphics and there was a greater emphasis on objective type and short answer exercises, rather than long, descriptive passages. In an interesting departure from the old method, Dr. Varakhedi said that Jnanpith award-winning Kannada writer Kuvempu’s “Ramayana Darshanam”, Sridhar Varnekar’s Marathi work on Shivaji and H.V. Nagaraja Rao’s books on nationalist leaders had been translated into Sanskrit and were prescribed as part of the syllabus.
“Once these changes are brought about, Karnataka would be a model to Sanskrit pathashalas throughout the country,” he said. Dr. Venkatesh said that the first-ever evening Sanskrit college had been started in the Chamarajendra Sanskrit College in Chamarajpet, Bangalore, for the benefit of professionals working in various organisations interested in learning the language. He also said that M.Phil (Vishishtacharya) and Ph.D (Vidyavaridhi) classes had been launched by the university.
Nalanda model
Karnataka Sanskrit University is planning to build institutions for study, research and training students in various disciplines of ancient Sanskrit works and branches of knowledge. For this, various centres of learning would be established on 100 acres of land at Thippasandra in Ramanagaram district on the lines of the Nalanda University and Shanti Niketan, said Dr. Venkatesh.
He said that a hostel for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes students would be built at the Sanskrit College in Mysore.
