Mattur is a unique village located in the southern Indian state of Karnataka, known for its tradition of speaking Sanskrit as a part of daily life. The village is situated on the banks of the Tunga River, in the Shimoga district of Karnataka. The use of Sanskrit in daily communication is a distinctive feature of this village and has garnered it considerable attention. Sanskrit - One of the oldest languages in the world and the liturgical language of Hinduism, has been preserved and actively used in Mattur for generations.
In Mattur, Sanskrit is the primary language of communication among the villagers. People of all ages, from children to the elderly, are fluent in Sanskrit. They use it for day-to-day conversations, and even shopkeepers, farmers, and artisans conduct their business transactions in Sanskrit.
Sanskrit education is an integral part of the village's culture. There is a Sanskrit pathshala (school) where children are taught Sanskrit from a young age. This educational system helps ensure that Sanskrit is passed down through generations.
It's important to note that while Sanskrit is the primary language of communication in Mattur, villagers are also proficient in other languages such as Kannada (the state language of Karnataka) and English for practical purposes. Nonetheless, the preservation of Sanskrit and its use in daily life is a distinctive and remarkable aspect of this village's culture.