REUNION ISLAND, FRANCE, March 19, 2007: A newly founded association, Jay Saraswati, based at the Chinmaya Vedantic Center in Saint-Suzanne on the northeast side of the island, will strive to promote Indian culture. “Our aim is to boost a cultural revival,” explains Swami Pranavananda. “If you feel too old to learn Sanskrit or Tamil, then enroll your children at the center! Otherwise we (the Hindus of Reunion) are going to be the losers. Let’s stay united!,” he advised.
Philippe Ponin-Ballom, president of Jay Saraswati, says the goal is to augment the teaching programs that the temples are providing, not to replace them. Alain Mayandy, vice-president of association, has already lined up the instructors. There will be painting workshops for children and adults taught by Annick Carrere. “Participants will be taught basic painting techniques. This activity can bring joy and peace of mind,” she explains. “Paintings will be done on small wooden boards. The participant can paint the Deity of his choice.” There will also be classes on the Ramayana and an introduction to traditional culture (a Hindu catechism). Devotional singing, tabla, harmonium, tavil and nadeswaram classes will be offered along with Tamil language and yoga. Instruction in Sanskrit will be provided by Brahmachari Akhilesh, a resident of the center. He explains, “It is important to learn and apply the traditions in ones daily life. The individual has to live his cultural values everywhere to become a stronger citizen.” The courses offered by the association Jay Saraswati start at the end of March.