Sanskrit Makes a Comeback in U.S.?

Bangalore: Sanskrit has a great position in India and South Asia just like Latin and Greek in Europe. The ancient and classical language of India is making a comeback in U.S. through the initiatives by Samskrita Bharathi, a non-profit organization. Many, including children and elders from Boston, New York, Seattle, Dallas, Chicago, Los Angeles and other cities in the U.S. are now learning Sanskrit from this organization. The growing popularity for Sanskrit in U.S. indicates a reform in this ancient language, as Visi R. Tilak reported for Wall Street Journal.

Samskrita Bharathi’s efforts to bring Sanskrit in to main stream include weekly Sanskrit classes, camps and complete, well-structured three-year high school language program. The people, who attend classes, are taught to speak, read and write this traditional language.

The teaching of Sanskrit was first started near Sri Lakshmi Hindu Temple in the Boston suburb of Ashland where free classes were held. Sanskrit as a Foreign Language (SAFL) had begun in 2008 for the students who wished to continue Sanskrit studies even after their summer and weekend classes.

“The idea for such a course came about after discussions with several parents of teenagers who had attended our classes and camps,” said Giri Bharathan, a volunteer and director of the SAFL, as reported by Wall Street Journal.

He added “An online course to meet the requirements of a foreign language study was created similar to normal high school courses. At $700 per student per year, SAFL runs through the year and has continuous evaluation in the way of homework, projects and exams. Grades and transcripts are issued and students will potentially be able to get credits as a foreign language course or as an independent study.”