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Revision as of 16:32, 12 December 2005 by Dangerous-Boy (talk | contribs) (+ cat)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)The term Vedic chant refers to recitation of hymns of the Vedas, the most ancient scriptures of the Hindus. Chanting of these hymns has continued for at least last three millennia and is believed to the oldest such religious tradition. Before the introduction of printed texts, the Vedas were passed from one generation to the next only by the oral tradition, which necessitated chanting and memorizing of these hymns.The chanting was also part of the rituals to invoke the blessings of various deities described in the Vedas, and these deities included Indra, Surya, Agni, Vayu, Varuna, Yama, Kubera, Soma,Mitra, Kama, Gayatri, Aditi, Ushas, Sarasvati and Rudra.
Vedas were recited and chanted, and the chanting and the recitation has to be correct, which gave rise to a finer study of sound and phonetics. Accordingly, Vedic chants contributed to the evolvement and emergence of music and other forms of performing arts of Ancient India.
UNESCO proclaimed the tradition of Vedic chant as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity on November 7, 2003.
See also
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