Sanskrit may be a ’dead’ language for many.

But many scholars and linguists are seeking its revival. In this context, an award-winning film-maker has come out with a film book in the classical language.

The script of National Award winning Sanskrit movie, Priyamanasam, has hit the shelves in the format of a book, claimed to be the first such in the language in the country.

The third ever Sanskrit movie in the history of Indian cinema, Priyamanasam revolves around the mental conflicts and agonies experienced by 17th century Kerala poet-scholar Unnayi Warrier while he had penned his magnum opus.

Filmmaker-cum-writer Vinod Mankara said both the film and the book are part of his humble endeavour to revive the ‘dead’ language, which has a glorious legacy of several centuries.

Unlike the traditional texts, the script of Priyamanasam ’is written in simple Sanskrit, he said.

Designed in a two-in-one format, the book has Sanskrit cover page and text on one side and Malayalam cover and text on the other. Glossy print and stills from the movie will help easily capture the attention of readers, said Mankara, who has two feature films and over 600 documentaries in his credit.

Renowned Sanskrit scholar KG Paulose wrote a preface to the Sanskrit text of the book, while writers M Mukundan and Kalpetta Narayanan did that for the Malayalam section.

Published by Thrissur-based Adayalam Publications, the book was released by writer and MP Shashi Tharoor by handing over the fiirst copy to eminent writer Methil Radhakrishnan at a function here last week.

Mankara said he plans to bring out an English translation of the book soon.

The movie Priyamanasam, ’ which bagged the best Sanskrit movie title in 2016, had already been screened in over 300 film festivals in various countries including Pakistan, Japan and Italy.

It will be screened in Germany next year, the director added.

Mankara said his movie and the book were also a tribute to Unnayi Warrier.

 

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