MYSURU: Former vice-chancellor of Karnataka Samskrit University Mallepuram G Venkatesh on Thursday stressed the need to promote the ancient Prakrit language, along the lines of the efforts being made to preserve Kannada and Sanskrit. “Pali and Prakrit languages have contributed much to the rich cultural heritage of the country,” said Venkatesh.
The former VC, who flagged off a three-day workshop on languages in the Prakrit family organised by the department of studies of Jainism and Prakrit at the varsity, along with Shravanabelagola Prakrit Studies and Research Centre, said that a scholarly and systematic study of Sanskrit, Prakrit and Pali would illuminate many gloomy corners of ancient Indian history. “Study of the three languages took a backseat following Independence,” he said.
He further pointed out that, Sanskrit, Pali and Prakrit having been classified as ‘classical’ languages, research into their association with Indian antiquity was much needed. “In the 1960s, scholars of Sanskrit language also studies these other languages. “Research into Old Kannada will also supplement study of Prakrit. There is need for greater public interest into research into the Prakrit family of languages,” Venkatesh said.
Head of the department of Jainism, and Prakrit studies, Vijayalakshmi S Karikal called on scholars to avail of funds provided by the UoM to conduct research into the history of the language.
Senior Sanskrit scholar HV Nagaraj Rao, Shravanabelagola Bahubali Prakrit Vidyapeetha Prof Jayakanumar Upadhye, head of department of Prakrit studies, Bahubali Prakrit Vidyapeetha CP Kusuma, were among those in attendance.
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