Indian Lyrics in Sanskrit Translation and its                          Presentation

A lecture in KKHSO University, Guwahati on 3/9/19

                                                                     

Indian lyrics, especially of modern Indian languages, can successfully be translated into Sanskrit and also these translations can be presented as fresh pieces of musical composition.

 Assamese lyrics, like other lyrical compositions of Indo- Aryan languages, is loaded with the sound and resonance of Sanskrit. From Sankardeva's time (1449-1568) and much before, Assamese literature have evolved and developed with the oriental splendour of Sanskrit.

The lyrical compositions encompassing the noble numbers of Sankardeva to Rabindranath and from Meera, Tulsidas to Narasimha along with the humanistic and patriotic numbers of Iqbal, Kabi Pradip, Narendra Sarma or A. R. Rahman can be taken for this experiment.

Translating lyrics from any language into Sanskrit might help our society in many ways. It can help our upcoming generation in developing  an aquintance and interest with the rich Indian languages as well as our unparalleled literary and musical tradition.

They might learn the Sanskrit language and vocabulary through a familiar and pleasing common source. They can feel the music that it is already heard and the lyrics, too, known as well. But when translated the popular songs are rendered in Sanskrit, it can pave a smooth way to learn Sanskrit words immediately. Not to mention, it can give birth to an aesthetic pleasure for both children as well as senior members of the society.

Thus, I have tried to explain how I have been striving to reach my cherished goal in this humble effort of rendering Indian songs (mostly modern songs) into Sanskrit, which might open new doors to think and work both individually and collectively.

Ranjan Kumar Bezbaruah, MA , Kavya Shastry

 Teacher, Artiste (Researcher in Sanskrit & Music)