Dec 17, 2009
Amrita School of Ayurveda, Amritapuri
 

Ashtanga Hridayam is famous text on Ayurveda written by Acharya Vagbhata. Its biannual recitation brings together over 300 ayurvedic practitioners and doctors in the state of Kerala.
 

 
This year, student members of the Sanskrit club Sanskritposhini at the Amrita School of Ayurveda brought out a musical CD titled Ashtanga Hridayam Parayanam, where the chanting of the entire text is set to beautiful music.
 

The CD was officially released at a function during the Kala Sahithy celebrations at the Amrita School of Ayurveda, that saw attendance from students and faculty of all schools on campus.
 

A copy of the CD was ceremonially handed over by Br. Shankara Chaithanya, the Medical Director of the Amrita School of Ayurveda to Dr. Bipin Nair, Dean of the Amrita School of Biotechnology.
 

“This venture gave our students the opportunity to explore their hidden talents,” stated Dr. Santosh of the Department of Basic Principles that coordinated the effort. “Students have recited the Astanga Hridayam in different Carnatic Ragas like Bhoopalam, Kanada and Kalyani.”
 

Traditionally, oral instruction played a major role in the imparting of education in India. Chanting of the Sanskrit texts was key to the learning process. This traditional form of education is very much alive at the Amrita School of Ayurveda, which has also embraced modern learning methods to keep up with the times.
 

 
The Kala Sahity celebrations also had several dance and music performances by students of the Amrita Schools of Ayurveda and Biotechnology. After the chanting of prayers, students placed the lighted ‘Chirathu’ to the chanting of Dhyana Sloka ‘Manikya Veena’.
 

Faculty of the Amrita Schools of Engineering and Arts and Sciences regaled the audience. A flute recital by Sri. Sinith was followed by a violin solo by Sri. Sethunath. Sri. Edathva Vinod Kumar accompanied on the Mridangam.
 

An Art Exhibition was also organized.