'Book fair will put Sanskrit in a modern context'

The World Sanskrit Book Fair is expected to promote modern Sanskrit Literature and showcase the learning of the language based on new methods and approaches. The fair will be held in the city from January 7-11, 2011. Mallepuram G Venkatesh, vice-chancellor of Karnataka Sanskrit University, gave more details on the fair in an interaction with DNA.

What is the idea behind the World Sanskrit Book Fair?
In a first-of-its-kind initiative, the Sanskrit book fair will provide the opportunity to understand the traditional cultural systems in India in a modern context. Sanskrit literature provides a link between modern and traditional texts. Modern science and ancient science can be combined to understand many issues and Sanskrit texts facilitate this. Hence, it is once again gaining popularity, because of the spread of Indian knowledge systems. While there are numerous language fairs that are held, why shouldn’t we have a Sanskrit Fair?

What can people expect to see at the World Sanskrit Fair?
Recent publications will be on display. Important cultural texts from Indian languages will be translated into Sanskrit. We have texts from all the states of the country; we will translate them into Sanskrit. Sanskrit universities, academies, Oriental research institutions, NGOs and publishers are taking part in the fair.
How will the Karnataka Sanskrit University contribute to the fair?

The Karnataka Sanskrit University will release a journal, Karnataka Sanskrita Adhyanam (in English-Karnataka Sanskrit studies), which will be published half-yearly. Ten books on shastric traditions will be released. There will also be seminars and discussions involving eminent scholars.

Is this a way to revive the language, literature and view from a narrow perspective?
The study of Sanskrit is important and through the fair we want to spread awareness about Sanskrit traditions and literature. About 35,000-40,000 students are currently studying Sanskrit which includes high school, pre-university and degree students. We are trying to move away from the narrow perspective the language has.