Kerala - Kochi   

An ancient text in modern format

KOCHI: Thani Illam, the eco-and heritage-friendly homestay at Perumbavoor, has always taken the path less travelled. This time, those behind the venture are trying to bring out Ashtangahrudayam, in audio CD format.

“The attempt is to bring back the feel of oral tradition,” said Santhosh Thannikkat of Thani Illam. Aryavaidyan A.M.G. Namboodiri is reciting the verse in the Yajurveda text. It comprises 8000 slokas in 120 chapters.

The 70-year-old has more than four decades of experience in the field. He is one among the few scholars who studied Sanskrit and Ayurevda in the Gurukula and normal academic systems, Mr. Santhosh said.

Mr. Santhosh is planning to release the work, expected to be a 20-CD set, at the third Ashtangahrudaya Sathram, to be held at Thiruvalla from October 21 to 28.

“While our present generation is moving away from the rich tradition, Western scholars are trying to record it. Meaningful research and documentation is happening in Europe,” said Mr. Santhosh.

“Senior Ayurveda practitioners will be consulted and corrections, if any, would be made before the final version is brought out,” he said.

In the long run, Mr. Santhosh plans to make the audio track available online. “After the official release, there are plans to post the MP3 versions of the track on websites related to Ayurveda,” he said.

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