Learn Sanskrit: Amazing facts and useful resources to learn

Learn Sanskrit: Useful resources that will help you  learn more about the fine ancient Indian language

Amazing Facts About Sanskrit

• Sanskrit is the official state language of Uttarakhand (in addition to Hindi).
• Sanskrit has a vast treasure of synonyms for each subject. For example, the word ‘Elephant’ has almost 100 synonyms.
• Sudharma is a Sanskrit newspaper that has been in publication since 1970. It’s even available online now.
• Before the Arab invasion, Sanskrit served as the national language of the Indian subcontinent.
• NASA scientist Rick Briggs had once said that Sanskrit is the only unambiguous language in existence.
• Sanskrit has been proven to help in speech therapy. It increases concentration & also helps one learn maths and science better.
• People of ‘Mattur‘ village in Karnataka only speak Sanskrit (the credit for imparting the knowledge of Sanskrit goes to Sanskar Bharati, a school in the village).
• Even in this age, a Gujarati family in Mumbai only speaks Sanskrit.
• According to Forbes Magazine (July 1987), “Sanskrit is the most computer-friendly language”.
• Germany is finding it hard to meet the demand of people wanting to learn Sanskrit. Close to 14 universities in Germany offer Sanskrit as a subject.

Learn Sanskrit: Useful Resources

Top Sanskrit classes and tutors in Mumbai.

There are many who feel that Sanskrit is a difficult language to learn. Many find its grammar difficult to grasp. These tutors and classes will help you master the ancient language.

Sanskrit Bhasha Sanstha
Address: 201, pitruchhaya, Plot No.83, Sakharam keer marg, Mahim (w), Mumbai : 400016
sanskritbhashasanstha.com

Bhavan’s Mumbadevi Sanskrit Mahavidyalaya
Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Kulapati Munshi Marg, Chowpatty, Mumbai-400007

Department of Sanskrit: Mumbai University
Ramkrishna Bajaj Sanskrit Bhavan, Behind Anna Bhau Sathe Guest House, Vidyanagari , Santacruz, Mumbai-400 098.
mu.ac.in/portal/faculties/arts/languages-linguistics-literaure/department-of-sanskrit/

Sanskrit Basics
More Sanskrit language lessons here.

Mythology Course by Mumbai University’s Department of Sanskrit

Mumbai University’s (MU) Department of Sanskrit has been conducting the Mythology course for several years and it seems the general population in India has developed a liking for the mythology course.

It’s because an in-depth knowledge of Indian Mythology is suddenly in demand, especially in the Indian television industry, and when money is involved, the demand soon follows.

Just take a look at the number of television shows/serials that are based on Mythology (most of them related to the Ramayana, Mahabharata, Bhagvad Gita), and you will understand why.

Who’re the students enrolling for the Mythology Course conducted by Mumbai University’s Department of Sanskrit?
Students who’re keen to work in the television and the fiction industry see this course as a stepping stone to enter the industry. Besides, there’s goo money to be made as production houses are willing to pay those who can do some research work and add some inputs during the creative process, for their mythology-based serials.

How much money is there to be made?
A researcher working for a production house, on a mythological serial, can make a lakh or two for a single project. For longer projects, the researchers are paid around 2-3 thousand rupees per episodes.

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“We keep giving additional inputs on how local (but relatively unheard) stories of the Mahabharata and the Ramayana can be used in the narrative”, says a research scholar working with Sony Entertainment Limited.

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Those who also understand Sanskrit (there are few though) have an added advantage as they can work extensively on projects, and are usually involved in the creative process right from the beginning of any serial.

Naturally, Sanskrit researchers are excited because it opens a new (and exciting) door for them, because otherwise, they could have made money only by teaching and taking up research scholarships.

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“When working for Mahabharata, the production house wanted some musical elements that could be used as background sounds. I referred to a few ancient Sanskrit texts and gave them some very good Shlokas, which were accepted by the creative team and recorded for use in the series,” says another research scholar.

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Is knowledge of Sanskrit necessary for the Mythology course?
Knowledge of Sanskrit is definitely an added advantage as its a rare skill, but its not a must for pursuing Comparative Mythology (as per the Department of Sanskrit that conducts this course). In comparative mythology, students learn how different mythologies were developed. Topics covered in ‘Comparative Mythology’ include – Theories and Interpretations of Myths, Indian & world Mythology sub-divided into sections like Creation Myths, Fertility Myths, Hero Myths, etc.

Application in other areas
Mythology researches are not just in demand in the television industry. There are several researchers who’re working with reputed authors, assisting them on their projects. Several Management consultants are also taking up these courses so that they can teach management in a better way.

Be it education or media, the combination of mythology and stories is in great demand currently; those with a fair knowledge of this area will surely enjoy the ride.

Department of Sanskrit, Mumbai University

Address: Ramkrishna Bajaj Sanskrit Bhavan, Behind Anna Bhau Sathe Guest House, Vidyanagari, Santacruz, Mumbai-400 098.
Contact 022-26543300 for more information
Email ID – departmentofsanskrit@gmail.com