Centre for Ancient Sanskrit Literature (CASL)

Background

The Centre for Ancient Sanskrit Literature was established on the 4^th of December 2019 by Kulachandra Gautam Smriti Sansthan (KGSS) in collaboration with the Central Department of Sanskrit, Tribhuvana University, Kathmandu. The building for this centre, Kulachandra Gautam Sadan, was financed, constructed and donated to KGSS by Dr Prasanna Gautam on land provided by the University. A black granite statue of the great scholar was installed within it’s foyer. This one storey building consists of two class rooms, a conference hall fitted with an A-V system, tutorial rooms, office suites and a reference library which holds some |

 rare hand written ancient manuscripts. The library is named       

after the late Mrs Subhadra Devi Gautam, the donor of most of the books. A museum containing memorabilia of the great scholar, including his hand- written manuscripts and rare first editions, will be established here. The Central Department of Sanskrit is also housed within this building.

Objective:

The primary purpose of this centre is to conduct scientific research on Vedic and ancient Sanskrit literature. The results will be published in English, Sanskrit and Nepali for ease of access. This will provide useful information to all, including many faculties within the university. It may also undertake specific projects as commissioned by interested individuals and organisations. This centre may also function as a research wing of the Sanskrit Department to supplement its academic activities.

Management:

This centre is being currently managed by KGSS. This will be handed over to the Central Department of Sanskrit by the end of 2020. An advisory board has been formed under the Chairmanship of the Dean of the Humanities and Social Sciences. It’s members include the Heads of the Central Departments of Sanskrit, English, History, the Director of this Centre and a representative of Kulachandra Gautam Smriti Sansthan. Additional members may be co-opted as required.

Staff:

1. i.               The Executive Director: Professor Dr Madhav Raj Gautam

-       formerly the Vice-Chancellor of Nepal Sanskrit University.

1. ii.              Administrator: Mrs Usha Gautam, the honorary  Board secretary, KGSS.
2. iii.            2 Post-doctoral Research Fellows.
3. iv.            Librarian: Mr Anil Pokhrel.
4. v.              Office  Assistant.

Activities:

The centre will be operational from 15^th January 2015. The main areas of activities are expected as follows:

1. A.    Research projects

i. Life and works of Krishna Dwipayana, ‘Veda Vyasa’

ii. Tracing the Aryan History through the Mantras of the Rig Veda.

1. B.    Conduct adult classes in Sanskrit
2. C.     Conduct Introductory Classes on the Upanishads
3. D.    Publication of an academic bilingual journal (English and Sanskrit).
4. E.     Organise national and international conferences on Sanskrit literature.