Some time ago I published a post “Weer Rajendra Rishi on the affinity of Russian and Sanskrit” which quickly became very popular especially with our Indian brothers. One of the quotes from Dr. Rishi’s book related to the “the melodiousness of the rhythm of the Russian folklore and the Sanskrit verse”:
“That the melodiousness of the rhythm of the Russian folklore and the Sanskrit verse synchronises with each other is confirmed by a news item published in the Soviet Land (No. 2 of January 1968) published by the Information Services of the Embassy of the USSR in India, New Delhi. It is stated that the style of the verse of Russian folk legends and Puskin’s tales is closer to the rhythm of Sanskrit verse. Professor Smirnov (1892— 1967), the reputed Sanskritologist of the Soviet Union has translated Mahābhārata into Russian in this type of verse. Professor Smirnov had with him a recording of an extract from the Mahābhārata read in Sanskrit original by Professor Nirmal Chandra Maitra of India to the accompaniment of Indian instruments. When after playing the recording of the Sanskrit version, Professor Smirnov read his Russian translation, the enchanting melody of the rhythm was found to be very much like that of the Sanskrit original as read by Professor Nirmal Chandra Maitra and sounded in unison.”(p.16)
Reading it I recalled a poem by Valery Brjuosov (Valery Bryusov) which rhymes very well with Dr. Rishi’s words. I have translated the poem into English for you.
| Не надо обманчивых грёз, Не надо красивых утопий: Но Рок поднимает вопрос, Мы кто в этой старой Европе?
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No need for deceptive reveries, No need for delightful Utopias: But Fate is calling for a quest – Who are we in this Old Europe?
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| Случайные гости? Орда, Пришедшая с Камы и с Оби, Что яростью дышит всегда, Все губит в бессмысленной злобе?
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Fortuitous guests? A horde, Arrived from rivers Ob and Kama, That always with abhorrence breathes Destroying all in senseless hatred?
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| Иль мы – тот великий народ, Чье имя не будет забыто, Чья речь и поныне поёт Созвучно с напевом санскрита.Валерий Брюсов, 1914 |
Or are we that great folk, Whose name will never be forgotten, Whose speech until this day does sing In tune with melodies of Sanskrit.Valerij Brjusov, 1914 |
Photo of Valerij Brjusov from Wikipedia
Mikhail Vrubel. Portrait of Valery Bryusov. 1906. Charcoal, red crayon, chalk on paper 104*70 Tretyakov Gallery. This is the last painting by Vrubel, he became blind when working on it {PD-art}}
borissoff 
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August 18, 2013 at 16:25
Giada Tanini
Hy everybody. I’m writing an essay on sanskrit and russian at the university. It is possible to find (where?) the reading of the mahabharata both in russian and in sanskrit? i mean the above mentioned extract by Professor Nirmal. thank you very much.
August 18, 2013 at 19:45
borissoff
Dear Giada,
Unfortunately, the text in my blog referred to something that took place in the 60s. so it is not possible to find these recordings. You may read more about Prof. Smirnov here (in English)
If you read Russian, this is the link to his Russian translations of Mahabharata. I particularly recommend the Story of Nala (the first in the list). It would be easy to find this text on the net read in Sanskrit. I do not think there would be recordings of the Russian translation. I did attempt to translate it myself a few years ago keeping the same metre. I shall look trough my archive and see if still have it and shall send it directly to your private e-mail.