This is a story of 70-year-old monthly magazine ‘Bharati’ published in Sanskrit language from Rajasthan’s Jaipur, also called as Chhoti Kashi of India, which has stood against the testing times, continuing its sojourn in last seven decades even at a time when Sanskrit language has seen it all—its fall, its downfall, it being ignored and it being mocked at.
However, recently, this language found a lot of emphasis in the National Education Policy (NEP) announced a few days back and hence hopes remain afloat of its rise again.
Meanwhile, even at a time when the National Education Policy (NEP) was not in, Rajasthan has been giving a due emphasis to this ancient language as many scholars and learned poets have been contributing to this magazine. The scholars as well as students learning the ancient language comprise it regular readers, says NL Suman, who has been a senior contributor to the magazine.
This 26-32 page monthly magazine published in Sanskrit has created a record of sorts as it has been circulated without hiccups across the country for the last 70 years, reflecting the love of a few scholars for the ancient language who have been working out all ways and means to make it a success.
‘Bharti’ is read by those who want to learn Sanskrit as well as those who are scholars of Sanskrit, informs Suman. A few years ago, the magazine was reaching out to every school in which Sanskrit was being taught, adds Suman saying that its circulation went quite high, however, off late, the circulation again went down, he says
“The magazine with a total circulation of around 3000 copies is being sent to different parts of the country. Launched in the year 1950, the magazine has been going to far-fetched regions of the nation featuring poems, research articles and news, all written in Sanskrit language. However, two different columns on women and Ayurveda are translated in Hindi along with sanskrit in the magazine on readers’ demand,” Suman says.
The magazine also accommodates stories on ancient literature, seminars and convocations being held at different places in the country.
This credit of launching this magazine goes to Dadabhai Girija Shastri who launched it in 1950, after seeking inspiration by Baba Saheb Apte.
With his continuous efforts, the magazine has emerged as a name to reckon with at the national level, said the magazine’s managing editor Sudama Sharma.
Nandsingh Naruka, another contributor to the magazine says, “Many Sanskrit scholars have been residing in Jaipur which is also called as Chhoti Kashi and they have been editors of this magazine including renowned Sanskrit poet Bhatt Mathura Das Shastri, Harishastri Dhadeech, Deenanath Trivedi, among others. The regular readers of the magazine are donating and advertising to ensure the magazine is published each month without fail. Around 12-15 people are working as a team here,” he adds.