Sanskrit is alive and thriving in Sydney!

More than 100 students come together to showcase their Sanskrit skills

BY USHA RAMANUJAM ARVIND

The Bala Sanskar Kendra and Sydney Veda Pathashala recently celebrated their anniversary with a colourful display at Ermington Community Centre. Over 100 students from the two student outfits got together to proudly show off their talent. Vedic chanting, shloka recitals as well as yoga presentations marked the event. The highlight of the evening clearly was the Sanskrit skit presented jointly by the students of Crestwood and Roselea Public Schools.

A traditional invocation and welcoming of guests with purnakumbham and aarti got the evening started. The Crestwood Public students and their teacher Narayanan welcomed the audience with a speech in chaste Sanskrit. Bhavana, an alumnus of BSK, was MC for the evening.

The children from BSK Metella Rd Public recited Adi Sankara’s Mudakarartha Modakam. This was followed by group chanting of Purushasuktham by students of Roselea and Nuwarra Public. Not to be outdone, the young wards of Hornsby Public (a recent addition to BSK fold) impressed the audience with some powerful chanting. NPS kids also performed a Sanskrit bidali much to the delight of those gathered.

Students of Sydney Veda Patasala later chanted the Sri Suktham, Narayana Suktham, Durga Suktham and Meda Suktham.

VHP’s international coordinator Swami Vigyanandaji presided over the celebrations. Among other dignitaries present were Councillor Barbara Burton of Hills Shire, DET Education Officer Alex Di Prinzio and Mrs O Connor, Principal of Nuwarra Public School.

“The anniversary celebrations were a grand success thanks to the dedicated inputs by volunteer teachers and enthusiasm of students and their parents,” programme coordinator and VHP general secretary Akila Ramarathinam told Indian Link

“The special guests were particularly touched by the commitment of the teachers and the quality performance of our children. They were thrilled to see the Vedas and Sanskrit language thriving to such a level in Australia”, she proudly continued.

Addressing the gathering, Akila said she “looked forward to your continuous support and encourage many more kids to attend weekend BSK/SVP schools.

It is heartening to see that our enrolments have steadily grown and so many youngsters are showing keen interest in preserving and promoting our ancient language and culture”, she further added.

The primary liturgical language of Hinduism and its offshoots including Buddhism and Jainism, Sanskrit holds a pre-eminent position among the great a credit to your organisation and especially to the volunteer teachers,” she stated.

Cr Burton congratulated the VHP Australia for their huge body of work and untiring efforts in promoting Indian culture, art and languages, particularly intangible heritage like Vedas. Besides Veda Pathashala and Bala Kendras, the VHP, which is the largest Hindu volunteer organisation, provides diverse services including youth classical languages of the world. Dating back to the 2nd century BC, it encompasses a huge body of complex scientific, literary, philosophical and religious texts that are highly regarded even today.

Speaking on the occasion, NPS principal promised continued support for the Sanskrit school. “I enjoyed the items presented by all of the schools and it was obvious how much time and preparation had gone into the performances. They were and social service foundations as well as scripture programmes in over 40 schools across NSW.

BSK’s Anagan Babu read a statement from the president of Community Languages Programme Albert Villa. The event progressed glitch-free thanks to the excellent behind-the-scenes support by Badri, specially with the audio system.