Sanskrit village included in pilot study in Karnataka

MYSURU: Mattur in Shivamogga district - popular as the Sanskrit village of the state - is one of the four villages of Karnataka identified for a pilot study under the National Mission on Cultural Mapping (NMCM).
A total of 80 villages from across the country are selected for this study.
Replying to a question raised by Mangaluru MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, Union minister of culture, tourism, and development of North Eastern region G Kishan Reddy informed that Vidurashwatha in Chikkaballapur district which played an important role in the country’s freedom movement, historical Deshanur village of Belagavi and Akkigund from Gadag district are the three other villages identified for the pilot study.
Mattur is located on the banks of river Tunga.
The village is known for Sanskrit-related works including the use of the language by many in daily conversation, Sanskrit teaching, etc.
According to the minister, the database of the mission includes a virtual museum of villages showing their arts, crafts, and culture, a register and interactive database of artists and art practices from the villages, a unique identification code for the artists, an E-commerce platform, and single cultural service provider platform for all the welfare schemes of Government of India for artists and artisans, etc.
HN Suresh, director, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Bengaluru said, Mattur has a unique culture and tradition.
“In many houses, the Agnihotra ritual is performed every day even today. Agriculture is the main occupation of families in this village. Along with agriculture, locals are giving importance to learning of arts, fine arts, music, Vedas and Upanishads. From every house, at least one family member is living abroad and supporting various activities in the village,” he added.