The Russian language is considered one of the most mysterious and enchanting languages in the world. Despite a decline in interest in India over the past decades, there has been a notable resurgence in the study of this language. Interest in Russian in India began in the 1960s, but the deterioration of political relations following the collapse of the Soviet Union led to a decline in this interest. However, recent years have seen a remarkable return of Russian, with private universities and colleges across India offering Russian language courses. In this article, we explore the reasons behind the resurgence of the Russian language in India and highlight efforts to revive interest in Russian literature, particularly the works of literary giants such as Tolstoy and Dostoevsky, and their impact on Indian culture. Through interviews with professors and learners, we will outline how this rich language can enhance cultural relations between India and Russia in the 21st century.
The Early Beginnings of Russian Language Study in India
The roots of Russian language study in India can be traced back to the 1960s, when interest in Russian culture and literature was significantly on the rise. It all began when Hem Chandra Pandey, a retired professor of Russian at Jawaharlal Nehru University, enrolled in a diploma course in the language at the University of Delhi in 1961. Russian literary topics, especially the classic works of Tolstoy and Dostoevsky, had captured the attention of many, leading to an increased demand for learning the Russian language. Translations of these works into Indian languages were of high production quality, encouraging many Indians to read.
With the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, resources for these Russian magazines and books began to dwindle, resulting in a shrinkage of interest among Indians in the Russian language. However, promoted by professors like Professor Vinay Totawar, it emerged as one of the growing academic fields in India during those years. Totawar noted that the increasing demand for Russian language experts was a result of scientific and technical cooperation between India and Russia, leading to the growth of Indian universities that began teaching Russian language. At the height of this interest, there were about 30 universities offering Russian language courses.
The Decline and Struggles of the Russian Language
By the early 1990s, Russian language education faced a significant decline. The number of students choosing to study the language dropped due to several factors, including political and economic issues stemming from the breakup of the Soviet Union. Research indicates that the state of Russian language study in India was on the verge of decline, with a significant reduction in the number of colleges offering Russian language programs. Some colleges closed their programs, negatively impacting the number of students and their ability to study in this field.
Despite the losses, a few educational institutions continued to offer Russian language programs, but they faced difficulties due to the scarcity of Russian-speaking translators and the continuous loss of suitable educational materials. However, this stagnation led to a strong desire to revive this field, particularly with geopolitical changes contributing to strengthening cultural and commercial relations between India and Russia.
The Resurgence of Interest in the Russian Language
In recent years, interest in learning the Russian language has begun to renew in India. According to Professor Pandey, there has been a notable increase in the Indian community’s eagerness to learn Russian. Some attribute this renewed interest to the deep historical ties between India and Russia, particularly with the growth of trade and increased cultural exchange. Recognizing the importance of the Russian language, many students and the academic elite in India have started to double their efforts to promote language learning, either through educational courses or by using modern materials dedicated to that purpose.
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Professor Sunny Saini, who teaches Russian language at Jawaharlal Nehru University, points out that the need for Russian language experts has been very urgent in recent years, especially during periods of cultural cooperation between the two countries. There are currently about 350 students studying the language at all educational levels, from bachelor’s to master’s and doctorate in the Russian Studies Center at the university.
It is also worth noting the emergence of new Russian language courses in new private institutions, such as schools and private universities in various parts of India, confirming that the language is no longer the last option for foreign language students. For example, new courses have been introduced in private schools in Faridabad and private universities in Asak. This shift shows how quickly Indian society is capturing geopolitical developments and enhancing pluralistic culture through Russian language education.
Innovation in Educational Curricula and Technology
With the advent of modern technology in education processes, the field of learning Russian in India has witnessed new technology following the development of educational apps designed for learners. Alongside emphasizing the importance of traditional learning, Professor Saini and his colleagues developed several specific applications for teaching Russian using interactive techniques. For instance, applications were provided that allow language learning through games and Russian literary texts, making the learning process more engaging for students.
These applications provide lively interaction among learners, enabling them to practice language skills in real contexts. This approach not only enhances individual learning but also creates a community of students who support one another. The idea of using technology as an educational tool to enhance traditional curricula continues, based on students’ current abilities and their widespread use of mobile devices in various aspects of their lives.
The success of these applications demonstrates how to leverage technology to facilitate learning and expand the academic framework regarding learning the Russian language. Professor Pandey, despite his traditional strategy, acknowledges that providing diverse educational resources will help students learn more effectively. This is because learning a new language is not merely a matter of memorizing words; it is a broader cultural context that requires interaction, deep understanding, and diligent practice.
Translation History Between Russian and Hindi
A strong relationship has been established between Russian and Indian literature over the decades, with translations enriching the literary culture of both countries. This relationship began notably when Professor Faryam Singh learned the Russian language 55 years ago. Singh was captivated by the aesthetics of Russian poetry and soon began translating poems containing works by famous poets such as Alexander Blok and Vladimir Mayakovsky. In 1975, he published his first collection of poetic translations, which included Blok’s poems in celebration of the centenary of his birth. This work represents the beginning of his deep relationship and interest in the Russian language in general.
In 1986, the Indian Literary Academy launched an ambitious project aimed at translating 20 volumes of writings by Russian authors in the twentieth century. Although this project was affected by the disintegration of the Soviet Union, Singh managed to select and translate the works of major poets, highlighting the challenges translators face in preserving literary heritage amidst political changes. These efforts are part of the ongoing pursuit to present Russian literature to a larger Indian audience, despite previous challenges.
The difficulty of translation was not a barrier for Singh, as he believed that translation should be philosophical in essence, emphasizing the importance of presenting Pushkin’s works to Indian readers. This approach reflects how Russian culture can serve as a bridge for understanding cultural selfhood in India. Despite ongoing efforts to translate classical Russian literature, there remains a lack of awareness regarding contemporary Russian literature in India.
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Cultural Relations Between India and Russia
The history of cultural relations between India and Russia spans centuries. Professor Saini points to the reasons that inspired his interest in the Russian language, noting that both Sanskrit and Russian belong to the same Indo-European language group. These deep linguistic connections highlight the shared roots between the two cultures, facilitating the processes of translation and literary understanding.
Recently, ancient Indian artifacts were discovered in the Volga river area, reflecting the rich historical trade and cultural links between India and Russia. These discoveries demonstrate that cultural exchange was not solely a literary affair but has historical roots dating back to ancient times. The findings included coins and interactive tools, shedding light on the complex relationship between the two cultures throughout the ages.
Literary exchange is also considered an important part of these relations. Through translations, readers in both countries can appreciate the diverse cultural and historical contexts that have contributed to shaping Russian and Indian literature. This dynamic requires further support and enhancement of communication between academics and translators from both sides.
Translation Challenges in India
The process of translating Russian literature in India faces several challenges, including a lack of demand for Russian literature and financial difficulties faced by writers and translators. The struggles of professors Kramati Ramdas and Akla illustrate that efforts may be unprofitable. Although they have a great passion for the Russian language and others like Parthiv, translating Russian literature requires greater investments in distribution and promotion.
There are still few loyal readers of Russian literature, and the reading culture in India must be bolstered to ensure that Russian literature remains cherished. This underscores the importance of initiating educational and cultural initiatives to enhance mutual understanding between the two cultures, such as workshops and cultural events that encourage interaction between Indian and Russian writers.
Additionally, there is an urgent need to expand the scope of translations and create a platform for contemporary writers. Attention should be given to current interest in contemporary literature alongside classical works, allowing for modern and productive literary exchange. Expanding the reader base to include new generations is very important to support the continuity of these cultural relations.
Future Literary Cooperation Between India and Russia
Efforts have been made in recent years to enhance literary solidarity between India and Russia, especially after Prime Minister Modi announced at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit translations of the best Indian works into Russian. The goal is to enhance literary awareness and promote cultural dialogue between the two peoples. This reflects a trend toward enhancing understanding through literature and finding multifaceted communication channels.
It is clear that cooperation in literary fields will not only benefit writers and translators but will also enhance cultural awareness and a sense of identity. Joint efforts highlight the importance of mutual understanding and the promotion of literary journeys under modern developments.
Perspectives from academics in both countries indicate a need for more such initiatives. By building literary bridges, the two countries can strengthen cultural ties and provide a rich experience for audiences in each nation. This represents an important step forward in literary tourism and sustainable cultural exchange, allowing Russian literature to enter the heart of Indian culture with a greater presence and stronger impact.
Source link: https://www.rt.com/india/605230-dosti-renaissance-after-post-soviet-russia-studies/
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