World Sanskrit Day is observed as an academic year in ancient India started on this day. On this day, the students began the study of Vedas in the gurukuls. To mark the significance of this day, &TV artists talk about the cultural importance of Sanskrit and how it is vital to Indian culture. These include Siddharth Arora (Mahadev, Baal Shiv), Himani Shivpuri (Katori Amma, Happu Ki Ultan Paltan), and Vijay Kumar Singh (Master Bhoop Singh, Bhabiji Ghar Par Hai). Siddharth Arora, Mahadev in &TV’s Baal Shiv, shares, “Sanskrit is one of the ancient languages widely used across several religions. It is one of the greatest treasures given to the world by ancient India. I studied Sanskrit in school, which has given me a reasonably good command of it. In mythological shows, the dialogues are a lot in Sanskrit; if one is well-versed with words, it helps a lot. For me, the Sanskrit language and literature are an ocean that contains many pearls of wisdom. We must preserve this language as it is integral to our ancient history and heritage.”
Himani Shivpuri, Katori Amma in &TV’s Happu Ki Ultan Paltan, says, “I have a strong connection with the Sanskrit. My father taught Sanskrit and Hindi at Doon School, one of the premier universities in India. Although it was a boys’ school, I was allowed to attend since I was the teacher’s daughter. My fascination with Sanskrit words began when I saw my father, also a writer, referring mother as “Matri,” a word found in all major languages. My father was a proponent of languages and ensured we excelled in knowing our ancient language. Sanskrit is universally recognized as the language containing the earliest literature in the world. It has been established as one of the ancient branches of the Indo-European family of languages. Modern North Indian languages are derived from it, and even the South Indian languages use many Sanskrit words. But with time, the language seems to be losing its charm in the educational spectrum, and we must do our bit to preserve this ancient treasure.” Vijay Kumar Singh, Master Bhoop Singh in &TV’s Bhabiji Ghar Par Hai, shares, “During my academic life, I spent almost four years studying in Sanskrit. Because of this, I can speak and write in Sanskrit with ease. In Bhabiji Ghar Par Hai, I often use catchphrases like “Tumhare Andar Sanskar Naam ka cheez hai ki nahi”, which the viewers love and one of the most popular phrases used by a lot of people these days.
In that phrase, the word ‘Sanskar’ is also derived from the Sanskrit word saṃskāra. Kalidasa Meghaduttam, one of my favourite poets, wrote his poetry in Sanskrit. I find it amazing that after all these years, Sanskrit grammar has never undergone any alteration like other western languages. It demonstrates the power of the Sanskrit language, which I feel should be survived and revived forever”.
Watch Baal Shiv at 8:00 pm, Happu Ki Ultan Paltan at 10:00 pm, and Bhabiji Ghar Par Hai at 10:30 pm, airing every Monday to Friday only on &TV!
