Sanskrit is
the ancient most language of the world and also stands in the list of 22
scheduled languages of the Indian sub-continent. A lot of effort has been made
to popularize and preserve this language in the entire country but the twin
villages of Karnataka have made remarkable efforts.
Located on
the banks of Tunga River, almost around eight kilometers from Shimoga, Matttur has
a population of around 5000 people who are mostly Brahmins. They use Sanskrit
even in their day to day affairs. And what’s more, there is one software
professional coming from each family. The children are taught Vedas till they
turn ten by the elderly people of the village.
One is
amazed to know that these Sanskrit followers who are clad in white dhoti and
drapes are well-connected to the modern world too. It is a normal scene to
watch people riding bikes, wearing T-shirts, expanding the computer script in
one hand and handling Sanskrit palm leaves from the other hand. They may be
wearing jeans and flaunt expensive mobile phones but they are very well attached
to their soil. A lot of IT professionals who are born here work in many foreign
countries.
The language
of the Gods or the deva bhasha, Sanskrit, the root of many languages is spoken
by less than one percent population of India. Under such circumstances, the
people of Mattur are making a commendable effort in passing on the legacy to
not only the next generation but are also willing to teach Sanskrit to all who
are interested. All the very best people!
