Mysuru: Famed sculptor of city Arun Yogiraj, who sculpted the  Balak Ram idol installed at Ayodhya Rama Mandir,  said that Sanskrit is a vital part of Sculptural Art and Science.

He was speaking as the chief guest at the valedictory of the two-day ‘Karnataka Dakshina Samskruta Kaaveri Pranta Sammelana,’ organised by Samskrita Bharati at Ganapathy Ashram premises on Nanjangud Road here yesterday.

Pointing out that his family was associated with stone sculpture for over a century, Arun Yogiraj said it is a virtuosity for his family to have been engaged in Sculpture. “My ancestors have contributed for my achievements. I am not a sculptor created by God. I am only a sculptor by birth. I am only a tool in the sculpting of Bala Rama idol installed at Ayodhya. The biggest turning point of my life came during the sculpture of Shankaracharya statue installed at Kedarnath,” he maintained.

Samskruta Bharati All India General Secretary Satyanarayana Bhat in his address, observed that India can be made ‘Vishwaguru’ through Sanskrit language.

Pointing out that India is ready for providing solutions to all the problems that the world is facing today, Bhat maintained that it is Sanskrit which has created such an atmosphere.

“The youth of the country are yearning to contribute something for Sanskrit. Sanskrit is growing at a fast pace in foreign countries. Sanskrit Literature covers many subjects such as Yoga, Medicine, Technology, Astronomy, Astrology etc., Realising the importance of Sanskrit, even foreigners too are carrying out research using Sanskrit novels and books”, Bhat said.

Samskrita Bharati Karnataka Dakshina President Prof. P.N. Shastri  said that it is the responsibility of every Karyakarta to protect Sanatana Dharma. Noting that great epics such as Ramayana and Mahabharata and also  Vedas are in Sanskrit, he said, as such, everyone should learn Sanskrit and teach the language to others too.

K.R. MLA T.S. Srivatsa said that knowledge of Sanskrit is vital for studying the ancient culture of the country. “Everyone should have social concerns. It is important to note that both the stone and the sculptor of Ayodhya Bala Rama idol were from Mysuru district. With this, the richness of Mysuru’s history and culture, has spread far and wide,” the MLA said with pride.

Sculptor Arun Yogiraj was felicitated on the occasion.

Samskrita Bharati Karnataka Dakshina office-bearers Gururao Kulkarni, A.M. Bhaskar and others were present.

Resolutions passed at the Sammelana

• Introducing Sanskrit as an optional subject, if not a compulsory subject, in Schools and Colleges.

• Appointment of Sanskrit teachers in all schools.

• Establishment of Sanskrit Academy.

• Promotion of Sanskrit writers and teachers.

• Prominence for Sanskrit research, re-introduction of Kannada Pandit exam, re-introduction of Sanskrit studies as a subject in Kannada and Telugu M.A. courses as in the past.

• Conduct of simple Sanskrit exams, teaching of Subhashita and Sanskrit Shlokas as moral lessons in at least two classes a week.

• Providing basic facilities for Sanskrit Pathashala students  and  distribution of free text books.

• Formation of Sanskrit Consultative Committee for carrying out activities connected with language.