Teaching Sanskrit through Sanskrit helps - Dr Gauri Mahulikar
THE GOAN NETWORK
PANAJI
Dr Gauri Mahulikar, retired professor and head of the department of Sanskrit, University of Mumbai will be delivering a talk on the women in mythology and religion on June 24, at the conference hall at Institute Menezes Braganza, Panaji at 6.30 pm.
Institute Menezes Braganza and Centre for Study of Mythology and Culture (CSMC) together will be organizing a series of lecture on Indian mythology wherein renowned academicians and writers will be invited to talk on the subject of mythology. This is the first lecture in the series. Sanjay Harmalkar, chairman, Institute Menezes Braganza will preside over the function.
“Sanskrit is as old as the Vedic literature. It could be 5000 years old or even more. School children could be trained in simple ‘subhashitas’ at initial stage. Gradually, conversation in Sanskrit could be started. This direct method of teaching Sanskrit through Sanskrit helps understand the language fast and it arouses interest also. Apart from language study, literature in Sanskrit is very rich,” said Dr Gauri Mahulikar while speaking to The Goan over a telephonic interview.
Dr Mahulikar who has 25 years of postgraduate teaching experience, has six books and more than 70 research articles published in reputed journals, to her credit and has participated in various national and international seminars and conferences.
“Vedas have come down to us by oral tradition, therefore called as Shrutis. Learned teachers imparted knowledge to their students, they to their students and so on for generations. Western countries, especially universities in Germany, US have Sanskrit studies centres, research centres or SEA studies. IITs have humanity section and Sanskrit classes are held there, even spoken Sanskrit classes are held for engineers. Scientists and Sanskritists should join hands for the development and preservation of this ancient language which is the storehouse of knowledge. The government seems to be keen on this project,” she further added.
Dr Mahulikar who has initiated the construction of Ramkrishna Bajaj Sanskrit Bhavan, a separate building for Sanskrit in Mumbai University, was sent as a delegate to the World Sanskrit Conference held at Bangkok in July 2015 by the external affairs ministry, government of India.
“I have special interest in Vedic studies and Vedanta,” says Dr Mahulikar who has given public lectures in various research institutes, colleges and schools on various topics related to Sanskrit.
Dr Mahulikar’s love for Sanskrit is from childhood. “My father taught first lessons to me through Sanskrit stotras, Bhagavadgita chapters etc. I owe my interest and love for Sanskrit to my teachers whose blessings have proved fruitful in my achievements and awards,” shares Dr Mahulikar who has won numerous awards for her contribution towards the language.
She reveals, “Along with the religio-philosophical texts, there are numerous texts on scientific streams like physics, chemistry, life sciences, mathematics, art and architecture, agriculture, horticulture etc in Sanskrit.” For thorough knowledge of these subjects, at least the translations of the ancient Sanskrit texts should be studied by scholars, she feels.
- Recipient of prestigious International Ramakrishna Award given by Canadian Education Foundation in 2003
- Guru Gaurav Puraskar by Kalasadan, Mumbai in 2010
- Mahakavi Kalidasa Sanskrit Sadhana Puraskar by
Maharashtra Government in 2013
- Adi Sankara Puraskar by Kanchi Kamakot Peetham 2013
- Savitribai Phule Puraskar by Mumbai University 2015
- Indira Behere Puraskar by Tilak Maharashtra Vidyapeeth, Pune 2015
