The Fifth Australian Spoken Sanskrit Summer School, February 2025

Embark on a transformative journey with the Fifth Australian Spoken Sanskrit Summer School at the prestigious ANU in Canberra. Perfect for both newcomers and returning learners, this immersive program promises to enrich your understanding of Sanskrit through expert guidance and hands-on practice.

About the Program

Time: 9:00-4:30pm
Dates: 1–15 February 2025 (including Saturday and Sunday)
Place: Marie Reay Teaching Centre, ANU Acton Campus, Canberra
Tuition cost: 

• Early Bird Registration Rate (Valid Until 31 October 2024): $880
• Standard Registration Rate: $979

This summer school will build on the excellent tradition established by previous events held in Canberra in 2006 and 2020 and at the ANU Kioloa coastal campus in 2012 and 2016.

Participants will develop conversational skills in Sanskrit, focusing on introducing themselves, discussing personal interests, and mastering Sanskrit storytelling techniques.

No previous knowledge in Spoken Sanskrit is assumed, but students are expected to have completed at least first-year Sanskrit at tertiary level or equivalent. Knowledge of basic Classical Sanskrit grammar is assumed. Graduates from earlier workshops are warmly welcome to return and brush up their skills. One-on-one tuition is available for students who already have some experience with Spoken Sanskrit. By the end of this workshop, students will be able to introduce themselves, their families, their studies, their interests and likes and dislikes.

Classes will be held from 9:00am to 4:00pm. An indicative day’s timetable is as follows:

9:00—10.30 Introduction of new forms and structures
10:30—11:00           Break
11:00—12:30           Revision and consolidation
12:30—2:00             Lunchtime break
2:00—3:00               Subhāṣita verses –singing and chanting
3:00—3:30               Break
3:30–4:30                Story-telling and group discussion

Secure your spot now in this exclusive class of 15 students. Don’t miss out on this golden opportunity to explore the richness of Sanskrit language and culture.

Once you register your interest, we will be in touch with instructions on the enrolment and payment process. 

NOTE: The Summer School will proceed provided the minimum numbers of participants enrol. Participants will be notified on 16 December 2024 if the Summer School will not proceed.

Your instructor

Meet Dr. Sadananda Das, who has been teaching Sanskrit language and literature at Leipzig university for the last 20 years, is renowned for his innovative approach to teaching Spoken Sanskrit globally. With a wealth of experience spanning over 50 summer schools worldwide, Dr. Das brings a vibrant teaching style that fosters a cheerful and informal learning environment.

Sadananda obtained a traditional Shastri degree (B.A.) from Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan, New Delhi, and received Masters and Ph. D. degrees from the Centre of Advanced Study in Sanskrit, University of Pune. Since 2005, he has been teaching Sanskrit language, literature and Indian Philosophy (Kashmir Shaivism).

He is a lecturer of Sanskrit in the Institute of Indology and Central Asian Studies at Leipzig University, Germany, and has pioneered the teaching of Spoken Sanskrit in West. Sadananda is a natural,  accomplished and admired educator, and the atmosphere in his classroom is consistently lively, relaxed and informal.

Sadananda has taught more than 55 summer schools in spoken Sanskrit across the globe, including Austria, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Australia, the UK, Ukraine, Spain and in many educational institutes and universities in India. He has taught Spoken Sanskrit and Sanskrit language and literature to more than 1,500 scholars from 46 countries from around the world.

The Australian National University

The ultra-modern Marie Reay Teaching Centre is in the centre of the ANUs beautiful campus. Excellent cafes, restaurants with a huge range of cuisines and accommodation styles to meet any budget are within easy walking distance of the summer school.