Monday, March 29, 2010

Tales of the mythical Sarasvati

It was an engaging session at the book release of Michel Danino’s The Lost River: On the trail of the Sarasvati, published by Penguin Books India, at the CP Ramaswami Aiyar Foundation.

Dr A K Gupta, former scientist, ISRO/Regional Remote Sensing Centre, Jodhpur, released the book and Nanditha Krishna, honorary director of the CP Ramaswami Aiyar Foundation, received the first copy. What followed the book launch was an illustrated presentation by the author taking a deeper look at the river Sarasvati. The author pointed out that the Rig Veda often mentions the Saptasindhava: the Indus, its five tributaries and the Sarasvati (the seventh tributary).

“Some 19 rivers are listed in the Rig Veda flowing from the East to the West. Interestingly, Ganga is the minor river in the Rig Veda,” said the author and explained that celebrated as ‘Sarasvat’ in the Rig Veda and the Mahabharata, this river was rediscovered in the early 19th century through topographic explorations by British officials. Drawing information from recent research in a wide range of disciplines, this book discusses different view points and proposes a harmonious synthesis — a fascinating tale of exploration that brings to life the vital role the lost river of the Indian desert played before its waters gurgled to a stop.

Full report here New Indian Express

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