When: 7-10 January, 2011
Where: Bangalore, India
The World Samskrit Book Fair
Mark the dates: January 7-10, 2011 in Bangalore, India. Samskrit is very much thriving. See it, Believe it, Embrace it!
Objective
The Annual World Samskrit Book Fair is a collective effort by all the major Samskrit-related institutions in India and around the world to popularize and stimulate innovation enabled by Samskrit and its rich knowledge base. Through organizing a book fair, we intend to achieve multiple objectives:
* Give a fillip to modern Samskrit research and literature,
* Encourage Samskrit scholars to innovate and publish,
* Create a ‘market’ for Samskrit publications,
* Instill confidence into Samskrit students about the future of Samskrit as a career path, and
* Popularize Samskrit and mobilize public support for its promotion.
The event is open to the general public of all ages and backgrounds with or without knowledge of the Samskrit language. Though the entire event will be conducted in a totally immersive samskrit environment where all the volunteers interact in Simple Samskrit, people of all ages and backgrounds can easily understand and enjoy.
Exhibitions and Programs
There will be a series of events at the fair, including exhibitions, cultural programmes, workshops and book and author talks.
Exhibitions
The exhibitions are intended to highlight the knowledge and heritage of ancient India and its relevance to the future. Exhibitions will include:
* A bird’s eye view of the status of Samskrit today
* Introduction to India’s manuscript wealth
* Vedic instruments and charts
* Demos and models of science and technology
* Demo of Samskrita vipaṇi – a retail store completely run in Samskrit
* Introductory posters of Samskrit universities
Cultural Programmes
* Nāṭakotsava: Samskrit dramas
* 1008 spoken Samskrit classes in Bengaluru
* Saṃskṛta gṛha sammelanam
* Saṃskṛta bāla sammelanam
* Saṃskṛta krīḍā: games in Samskrit
* Avadhāna: traditional Indian intellectual contests
* Indian classical dance and music
Workshops
* Ṥalākā parīkṣā: traditional Indian method of student evaluation
* Pandita parishad: Panel discussions by scholars
* Workshops on translations, new vocabulary and the role of Samskrit
* Management and leadership principles in Indian literature
Author and Book Events
Participating publishers are invited to nominate up to three of their authors and/or books for a promotional event. The organisers will select the most interesting ones and those selected will be offered a 45 minute presentation slot which could take the form of a book reading, a talk by the author or editor or a talk on a subject related to the book.
More information here.
