Sanskrit is one of the oldest languages in the world and belongs to the Indo-European language family. The name "Sanskrit" itself means refined, and probably refers not to the language itself, but to its systemisation as a set of grammatical rules by the infamous grammarian Panini in approximately 500BC, whose grammar comprised an algorithmic set of recursive rules for transforming grammatically abstracted roots and stems into forms found in the spoken/written language. He (along with his predecessors) was part of the earliest tradition of linguistics in the world, and developed the first notion of generative grammar. In the works of Panini, the language is known simply as 'Bhashya' meaning 'Language' and refers primarily to the language of the Vedas. This brings us to an important point; Because Sanskrit is the language of the Vedas, it is seen by many as a sacred language, where the sound itself is imbued with spiritual power.
Today, many people who wish to study Sanskrit do so for this reason. They wish to learn mantras, or read the great epics of India such as the Ramayana, the Mahabharata or philosophical works such as the Bhagavad Gita or the Upanishads. Sanskrit was, however, also the primary language of intellectual communication in ancient India. As a result, there is a wide body of literature, by some accounts, more than 5,000,000 manuscripts. In Sanskrit literature, we find not only philosophy but also great poetry, law, science and mathematics. It should not be thought of as a Hindu sacred language, but as one of the great vehicles of the culture of mankind. The Panchatantra (circa 300BCE) for example is a storybook, which relates many animal fables that have travelled across the world. By 1600 AD it had been translated into many European Languages including Greek, Latin, Italian, Spanish, German and English. In more advanced poetic literature, it can be very descriptive vividly painting beautiful scenes.
In Trinidad though, while Indian Classical Dance and music classes are easily found, Sanskrit is not widely taught. There are so far three classes in existence (known to this author at least). The oldest class in existence is conducted by self taught sanskritist Dr. Ramkissoon, who at 90 plus years of age continues the noble work he started in the 1980s. These classes are based off the Sanskrit Bharati (a well known international organisation) course structure and students write exams set by the organisation. Secondly, there are classes held at the Chinmaya Mission in Couva.
This started about five years ago. The classes follow St James (London) Sanskrit Syllabus and students write Cambridge Exams for Ordinary and Advanced level certification. The classes are conducted by Swami Prakashananda (spiritual head of the mission), Shri Ravi Bharati (spiritual head of the Param Dhaama Ashram in Penal) and by advanced Sanskrit students. Finally classes have been started by the NCIC approximately two years ago. These classes are designed to take one from having no knowledge of any kind in Sanskrit up to the level of Sanskrit first degree and prepare one for further studies where one can easily read at an MA level in approximately three years. No certification is offered, nor are there any exams but students are encouraged to study for the pure joy of studying the language. Currently, there is one advanced class with a beginners class set to begin on August 13.
If you are interested in joining the class at the NCIC please contact Arvind Singh at arvind.email@gmail.com.