Sanatana Dharma or Hinduism has a wealth of knowledge in the form of Scriptures which can be classified into Shruthi, Smrithi and Puranas. Every Hindu has an innermost desire to gain a fair understanding of all these, given the fact that a detailed study of the scriptures is next to impossible, thanks to the self imposed hectic schedule we are into these days. In addition, we also want our children to appreciate and respect the rich tradition that Hinduism offers. In an era of nuclear families, gone are the days when grandmas narrate puranic stories to children when they are fed or are being put to sleep. How much have we wished that “someone” would take care of imbibing the wealth of knowledge in Hinduism to our children? “Someone” who would teach the children to recite some of the most auspicious Stotras and also teach the meaning of the Stotras, “someone” who would teach the children to sing some of the melodious devotional Krithis and at the same time teach its meaning as well? Well, it is precisely this gap, which Sri Ramakrishnan is trying to bridge.
Sri Ramakrishnan has undertaken the enormous task of bringing out a compilation of Stotras and Krithis for the sake of future generation, particularly the children who live outside India or those who do not have the opportunity to be exposed to Hinduism and Hindu culture. Stotras and Krithis are the simple and concrete expressions of the religious experience of Hinduism and a good understanding of these would provide a strong foundation to the children and at the same time, instill a sense of curiosity to know more.
How Stotras can be taught to children
Sri Ramakrishnan has come up with a list of more than 100 Stotras, which can be taught with the following aids:
• The booklet of the Stotras will contain the text of the Stotra in both Sanskrit and English. Word by word meaning will be provided and necessary explanations and references would be provided as necessary.
• Accompanying CD/DVD would help the student in learning to chant the Stotra in the traditional method – by means of repeating each line with the correct intonation.
The list of Stotras which will be part of this project is attached for your reference. Sample pages of the booklet for Ganesha Pancharatna Stotram is also attached for your perusal.
How Devotional Krithis can be taught to children
There are devotional Krithis associated with every deity, extolling the virtues and powers of that particular deity. A proper understanding of the Krithi in addition to the ability to sing in the traditional way, will reinforce the knowledge gained from Stotras learnt for that particular deity.
Following aids can be used for teaching the Krithis:
• The booklet of the Krithis will contain the text of the Krithi in both Sanskrit (even if the Krithi was composed in other languages such as Telugu, Tamil etc) and English. Word by word meaning will be provided and necessary explanations and references would be
provided as necessary.
• Accompanying CD/DVD would help the student in learning and understanding the theme and significance of one hundred devotional as well as classical compositions of great composers revered as the Trinity viz Thyagaraja, Muthuswamy Dikshithar and Shyama Shaastri, King Swaathi Thirunal, Purandaradasa etc. These Krithis (Pallavi, Anupallavi and Charanam) will be taught by learned teachers and the students will repeat them. After teaching and learning an entire song, initially the teacher, along with the students, will sing the whole Krithi and ultimately with proper accompaniments.
Current state of the project
Sri Ramakrishnan has so far completed the material for more than 85 Stotras and more than 130 Krithis. Work that is remaining includes printing the books for these Stotras and Krithis, recording of Stotra chanting, recording of rendition of Krithis and final packaging. This definitely calls for additional funds to complete the project and place it for the benefit of tomorrow’s children.
The difference which you can make
You can indeed support this ambitious and philanthropic project in any of the following ways:
• Offer financial support, either in full or partially, to bring out the complete set for the benefit of the children and adults
• Sponsor the launch of specific Stotras and Krithis for your favourite deities and distribute the booklets and CDs/DVDs to your friends & relatives during auspicious functions like Navarathri, Ganesha Chathurthi, Varalakshmi Vratham, Janmaashtami, Saraswathi Puja, Hanumath Jayanthi, Ramanavami, Wedding, Upanayanam, Seemantham, Gruhapravesam, Shastibdapoorthi, Shadabhishekam etc.
• Spread the message about this project to your friends and relatives who would be interested in supporting and sponsoring this project
Sri Ramakrishnan can be reached at +91 9986508902 or Stuthi.Krithi@yahoo.com.
Whichever way you intend to support, the real happiness that you would gain is when you see the complete package of Stotras and Krithis at your home as a ready reckoner for your children and humanity at large or when you gift this package to a child, who you want to take the rich tradition of Santana Dharma to his/her grandchildren.
Hari Om!
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