Twitter
Advertisement

#SAH: Decoding Sanskrit on Twitter

#SanskritAppreciationHour provides an easy and accessible way for people to understand the ancient language

Latest News
article-main
Rohini Bakshi
FacebookTwitterWhatsappLinkedin

When you sit down for a puja and the pandit makes you repeat Sanskrit mantras after him, most of us are likely to stare back at him with a blank expression. Decoding the mantras can be a daunting task. However, there’s hope. In 2013, London-based Rohini Bakshi, 52, started helping people understand the ancient language better through #SanskritAppreciationHour (#SAH). While Twitter may have been an odd choice to promote Sanskrit, it has worked wonders. Bakshi helps translate shlokas online, while also giving followers the opportunity to chip in with their questions, additions and comments by using the official hashtag. 

Today, three years later, #SAH has 12,300 followers. Bakshi has even co-written a book with Bengaluru-based Sanskrit teacher Narayana Namboodiri titled Learn Sanskrit Through Your Favourite Prayers.
In an interview to DNA, Bakshi gives us the lowdown on the impact the online initiative has had.

What made you start #SAH? 

While growing up, my aunts would say, ‘don’t do this, don’t do that’. When I would ask them why, they’d say ‘shastron mein likha hai’. I’d say show me, and of course they couldn’t. This put me on a path to learn Sanskrit. In school, however, I nearly failed Sanskrit. As I grew older, the desire to learn Sanskrit increased, but I could not find a course to pursue. It was only when I arrived in England that I got a chance. I would learn along with my elder son, who was studying Sanskrit for the IGCSE exam. Once every fortnight, I’d go to my tutor to clear doubts. I sat for the IGCSE, and then applied to SOAS for a Master’s degree.

Because of my experience, I was determined that as soon as I was good enough, I wanted to teach people like me who wanted to learn Sanskrit but didn’t know where to go. I thought the best way to reach them would be through social media. I created #SAH in early 2013. I called it appreciation hour because it’s impossible to teach a language on Twitter given the 140-character limitation.

What’s the main reason people come to #SAH? Is it always religious?

The biggest reason is bhakti. However, we don’t just translate the Bhagwad Gita, or yogasutras, we also look at ancient texts that have to do with mathematics, science, medicine, humour, among other. We try to  mix it up so that the interest of people is aroused. For instance, there’s a shastra, the matangaleela, on how to rear elephants, and one on how thieves should behave. We’ve even translated recipes.

How does translating shlokas help you to learn a language?

We translate the verses online—word for word—and people interact, and ask how we managed to do it; what’s the meaning of this or what’s the difference between two similar sounding works, for instance, kuurwati and kuurwanti. Everybody learns from the questions asked.

Are #SAH followers’ interest limited to Twitter, or have some turned to learning the language seriously?

We have an initiative called Sandhanam—a pro-bono service we offer people who want to learn Sanskrit by connecting them with tutors. We have teachers in Bengaluru, and across other Indian cities. Depending on the language you speak,or the level of familiarity with Sanskrit, we will connect you  with a tutor or a course that suits your requirements.

Find your daily dose of news & explainers in your WhatsApp. Stay updated, Stay informed-  Follow DNA on WhatsApp.
Advertisement

Live tv

Advertisement
Advertisement