09-13-2006, 09:53 PM
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin--><b>Rash of Indologists in Russia </b>
<i>Study of Indian philosophy is a priority for Russian scholars and
some have set new benchmarks, says Alexander Dubyansky </i>
Russia should pay more attention to Indology, a science which studies
about India and different aspects of its culture. The biggest Russian
centres of Indology are in Moscow and St Petersburg. They work in
different directions, but traditionally both of them have
concentrated on Indian languages, primarily Sanskrit, the ancient
language of Indian culture. In Moscow, Sanskrit is studied at
Lomonosov Moscow State University, notably, at the Institute of Asian
and African Studies and the philology department, the Russian State
Humanitarian University, and the Institute of Philosophy at the
Russian Academy of Sciences.
Apart from Sanskrit and several other ancient languages, university
programme requires the study of living languages. Russian students
learn Hindi, Urdu, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, and Punjabi. Indological
departments also teach disciplines bearing on India's history,
culture, literature and religion, and most faculty members are
involved in research.
Tatyana Shaumyan heads the Centre for Indian Studies at the Russian
Academy of Sciences' (RAS) Institute of Oriental Studies. It unites
scholars who focus on the current political, cultural, and religious
aspects of Indian life. The centre publishes comprehensive collective
works, such as Indiya segodnya, Spravochno-analitic heskoye izdaniye.
The Centre is going to issue a five-volume encyclopaedia on India.
This is well in line with the Centre's major goal - developing a
strategy for Russo-Indian relations. Scholars whose work involves
Indian spiritual culture are making a substantial contribution to the
promotion of bilateral ties. Their findings meet the interests of the
Russian readers, extending their knowledge of India, and receive
recognition in India.
The brightest example is the complete translation of the Rig Veda by
T Ya Yelizarenkova, for which she has received the Indian order of
Padma Shri. The Indians are avidly watching the Russian publication
of the great Indian epic Mahabharata, which is being translated by Ya
V Vasilkov, SL Neveleva, VG Erman. Moscow Indologist PA Grintser is
translating another epic poem, Ramayana.
Our scholars study a wide range of Indian cultural phenomena. In the
Soviet times, the emphasis was on modern Indian culture, particularly
literature, whereas now the interest has shifted to the middle and
ancient ages.
Study of Indian philosophy is a priority for Russian scholars. It has
a glorious tradition, which continues up to this day. In recent years
Russian Indologists have published major philosophical works
(Buddhist in St Petersburg, Hindu and Jaina ones in Moscow), and
books on different trends in Indian philosophy.
There is no doubt that cooperation with India is vital for the
successful development of Indology in Russia. The Jawaharlal Nehru
Cultural Centre at the Indian Embassy plays a major role in promoting
this cooperation. It regularly contributes funds for the publication
of books, joint conferences and other cultural events, and sponsors
Russian students who go to India for practical training.
Russia and India have exchange programmes for scholars, scientists,
professors and students. They have signed agreements for establishing
departments and centres for Indian studies at five major Russian
institutions. <b>Agreements also link Moscow State University with JNU
in New Delhi</b>, the MSU Institute of Asian and African Studies with the
Zarathustra College in Mumbai, and with the Osmania University in
Hyderabad.
<i>(The writer is Assistant Professor at the Indian philology
department, Institute of Asian and African Studies, Moscow State
University)</i>
<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<i>Study of Indian philosophy is a priority for Russian scholars and
some have set new benchmarks, says Alexander Dubyansky </i>
Russia should pay more attention to Indology, a science which studies
about India and different aspects of its culture. The biggest Russian
centres of Indology are in Moscow and St Petersburg. They work in
different directions, but traditionally both of them have
concentrated on Indian languages, primarily Sanskrit, the ancient
language of Indian culture. In Moscow, Sanskrit is studied at
Lomonosov Moscow State University, notably, at the Institute of Asian
and African Studies and the philology department, the Russian State
Humanitarian University, and the Institute of Philosophy at the
Russian Academy of Sciences.
Apart from Sanskrit and several other ancient languages, university
programme requires the study of living languages. Russian students
learn Hindi, Urdu, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, and Punjabi. Indological
departments also teach disciplines bearing on India's history,
culture, literature and religion, and most faculty members are
involved in research.
Tatyana Shaumyan heads the Centre for Indian Studies at the Russian
Academy of Sciences' (RAS) Institute of Oriental Studies. It unites
scholars who focus on the current political, cultural, and religious
aspects of Indian life. The centre publishes comprehensive collective
works, such as Indiya segodnya, Spravochno-analitic heskoye izdaniye.
The Centre is going to issue a five-volume encyclopaedia on India.
This is well in line with the Centre's major goal - developing a
strategy for Russo-Indian relations. Scholars whose work involves
Indian spiritual culture are making a substantial contribution to the
promotion of bilateral ties. Their findings meet the interests of the
Russian readers, extending their knowledge of India, and receive
recognition in India.
The brightest example is the complete translation of the Rig Veda by
T Ya Yelizarenkova, for which she has received the Indian order of
Padma Shri. The Indians are avidly watching the Russian publication
of the great Indian epic Mahabharata, which is being translated by Ya
V Vasilkov, SL Neveleva, VG Erman. Moscow Indologist PA Grintser is
translating another epic poem, Ramayana.
Our scholars study a wide range of Indian cultural phenomena. In the
Soviet times, the emphasis was on modern Indian culture, particularly
literature, whereas now the interest has shifted to the middle and
ancient ages.
Study of Indian philosophy is a priority for Russian scholars. It has
a glorious tradition, which continues up to this day. In recent years
Russian Indologists have published major philosophical works
(Buddhist in St Petersburg, Hindu and Jaina ones in Moscow), and
books on different trends in Indian philosophy.
There is no doubt that cooperation with India is vital for the
successful development of Indology in Russia. The Jawaharlal Nehru
Cultural Centre at the Indian Embassy plays a major role in promoting
this cooperation. It regularly contributes funds for the publication
of books, joint conferences and other cultural events, and sponsors
Russian students who go to India for practical training.
Russia and India have exchange programmes for scholars, scientists,
professors and students. They have signed agreements for establishing
departments and centres for Indian studies at five major Russian
institutions. <b>Agreements also link Moscow State University with JNU
in New Delhi</b>, the MSU Institute of Asian and African Studies with the
Zarathustra College in Mumbai, and with the Osmania University in
Hyderabad.
<i>(The writer is Assistant Professor at the Indian philology
department, Institute of Asian and African Studies, Moscow State
University)</i>
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