Reviving a Language: Inside a Conversational Sanskrit Workshop

Samskrit Bharati’s 10-day conversational Sanskrit workshops in Delhi introduce 17,000 participants to Sanskrit through immersive methods. Bypassing complex grammar, participants learn naturally via songs, conversational exercises, and storytelling, enabling basic fluency in just days. Founded in 1981, Samskrit Bharati has trained over 1 crore people, transforming villages and promoting Sanskrit globally. The movement emphasizes inclusivity across communities, fostering cultural connection and heritage. Despite challenges, the workshops inspire curiosity and offer sustainable learning options for deeper engagement with the ancient language.

Reviving a Language: Inside a Conversational Sanskrit Workshop in East Delhi

A small basement in a society flat echoes with the voices of 15-20 participants, aged 5 to 75, repeating a phrase in unison: “Tat vyajanam, etat karadipam.” The teacher points to a ceiling fan and a handheld torch, guiding the group through basic Sanskrit vocabulary. This is one of the many scenes unfolding in the 10-day conversational Sanskrit workshops organized by Samskrit Bharati, a movement dedicated to reviving the ancient language.

The workshop is part of 1,008 free sessions held across Delhi in April and May, introducing more than 17,000 participants to Sanskrit. These immersive sessions focus on teaching Sanskrit conversationally, bypassing complex grammar rules to replicate how children naturally learn languages.

A Unique Approach to Sanskrit Learning

The sessions begin with songs like Shibiragitam and Uddeshyagitam, followed by simple conversational exercises:

• “Bhavatah naam kim?” (What is your name?)

  
  

• “Mama naamah Rajeshah.” (My name is Rajesh.)

  
  

Participants gradually learn numbers, tense, and basic sentence structures without translating into other languages. By the tenth day, many can write short narratives or scripts in Sanskrit.

Rajesh Sharma, a seasoned teacher leading the East Delhi workshop, says, “Our aim is to encourage curiosity about Sanskrit. We provide an introduction that’s easy to grasp.” Sharma has taught at Samskrit Bharati workshops for 22 years, helping participants connect with the language’s cultural and historical significance.

The Grammar Challenge

Sanskrit’s reputation for being grammar-intensive often deters learners. Its declensions and conjugations—complex suffixes for nouns and verbs—can overwhelm beginners. For instance, a single noun like Rama has 21 forms depending on its role in a sentence. Verbs, too, require mastery over hundreds of conjugation tables.

However, Samskrit Bharati’s method sidesteps these complexities. Grammar is introduced conversationally, allowing participants to build fluency without memorizing tables. This approach mirrors how native speakers acquire their mother tongue, making the learning process more intuitive.

A Movement Rooted in Revival

Founded in Bengaluru in 1981, Samskrit Bharati has trained over 1 crore people through 1.2 lakh workshops and prepared more than 1.35 lakh teachers. Its mission is to revive Sanskrit as a spoken language and reclaim the cultural knowledge embedded in it.

The organization has achieved remarkable milestones:

• 6,000 homes where Sanskrit is spoken daily.

  
  

• Transformation of four villages into "Samskrit Grams."

  
  

• Promotion of Sanskrit through 4,500 centers in 26 countries.

  
  

Samskrit Bharati’s efforts have drawn wide attention, including recognition from Home Minister Amit Shah, who lauded its work during a ceremony at Delhi University in May.

Why Learn Sanskrit?

Participants at the workshop have diverse motivations:

• An elderly man wishes to chant religious texts with better pronunciation.

  
  

• A mother seeks to help her children with school assignments.

  
  

• A Sanskrit teacher wants to adopt this innovative teaching method.

  
  

For many, the language represents a connection to India’s cultural and spiritual heritage. “Sanskrit is the mother of most of our mother tongues,” says Sharma. “It’s our duty to have at least some acquaintance with it.”

What Happens After the Workshop?

While the 10-day course equips participants with basic conversational skills, continued practice is essential. Participants are encouraged to hold weekly meetings or engage in WhatsApp chats in Sanskrit. For those seeking deeper knowledge, Samskrit Bharati offers advanced courses, including residential programs like Samvadashala, where participants spend two weeks immersed in Sanskrit.

Despite the challenges of sustaining interest, Sharma remains optimistic. “Even if only 10 out of 100 learners continue their studies, the knowledge spreads. One day, they might meet someone who says, ‘Bhavatah naam kim?’ and they’ll respond.”

Sanskrit for All

Samskrit Bharati emphasizes inclusivity, with participants from various religious and social backgrounds. In southern states like Tamil Nadu and Kerala, coordinators include Christians and Muslims. The focus is solely on promoting the language, not any political or religious ideology.

Chamu Krishna Shastry, the movement’s founder and a Padma Shri awardee, underscores this ethos. “Sanskrit belongs to all, irrespective of caste, gender, region, or religion. We’ve held workshops in slums and marginalized communities to ensure accessibility.”

In a world where Sanskrit is often dismissed as impractical or overly academic, Samskrit Bharati’s conversational workshops offer a refreshing perspective. By making the language accessible and engaging, the organization is not just reviving Sanskrit but also fostering a deeper connection to India’s cultural roots.