ANNOUNCING: VEDA STUDIES AS AN ASSOCIATE CENTER OF INDICA

I am glad to share that Veda Studies has been recognised as an Associate Center of INDICA — a meaningful acknowledgement of the work that has taken shape over the past decade. Here’s the full announcement from INDICA:

Namaskaram,

INDICA is pleased to announce Veda Studies as an Associate Center, strengthening its relation that began more than 6 years ago.

ABOUT VEDA STUDIES

Founded in 2013 by Smt. Shantala Sriramaiah, Veda Studies is dedicated to preserving and transmitting Veda pāṭha and adhyayanam in the lineage of the Challakere Brothers, under the guidance of Sri M. S. Sreenivasan. Rooted in Śīkṣā and traditional pedagogy, the initiative has developed a rigorous approach to Vedic recitation, combining phonetic precision, svara accuracy, and disciplined practice.

At its core, Veda Studies rests on the understanding that Vedic chanting is a disciplined oral tradition where precision is essential. As stated in the Taittirīya Upaniṣad:

“स्वाध्यायप्रवचनाभ्यां न प्रमदितव्यम्”
“Do not neglect self-study and recitation.”

Learning and recitation are inseparable. The continuity of the tradition depends on both.

Over the past decade, Veda Studies has grown into a structured and sustained ecosystem for Vedic learning. Its academic offerings include over 125 live online courses and 60+ self-paced programs, organised within a graded pathway from beginner to advanced levels, enabling serious and progressive engagement with Vedic chanting.

Today, its community spans learners across 65 countries, drawing not only from Vedic study but also from related disciplines such as Yoga, Āyurveda, Jyotiṣa, Tantra, and Vedānta, alongside practitioners from the arts, business, academia, and the medical field. This engagement is further supported through over 200 free community events that sustain continuity and access.

Learning within Veda Studies extends beyond coursework into sustained sādhana. Guided practice groups ensure continuity and depth, supporting disciplined engagement with chants such as Gāyatrī, Rudram, Śrī Sūktam, Gaṇapati Atharvaśīrṣam, and others within a living framework of practice.

This commitment to depth is also reflected in its in-person retreats, held in locations such as Hampi and Italy, where participants engage immersively with texts including the Taittirīya Upaniṣad and Śiva Saṅkalpa Mantrāḥ. Upcoming retreats, including programs in Lugano, continue this trajectory.

A NATURAL ALIGNMENT OF VISION

This association brings together two institutions with a shared commitment to lived knowledge. While INDICA has been at the forefront of research, education, and public engagement in Indian Knowledge Systems, Veda Studies represents a deeply practice-based, lineage-rooted approach to Vedic learning.

Together, this strengthens the bridge between scholarship and embodied knowledge, where transmission is sustained through practice and teacher–student continuity.

TEACHER TRAINING PROGRAM

A key aspect of the collaboration has been in teacher development. Through its Teacher Training Programs (Levels I & II), conducted in collaboration with INDICA, Veda Studies has certified over 100 teachers across 20+ countries, including the next cohort scheduled to graduate in July 2026.

PUBLICATIONS

In addition to the above program, INDICA has also published prayer books Nitya Prārthanā and Nitya Dhyāna in collaboration with Veda Studies. These along with audio releases support both study and practice.

LOOKING AHEAD

As an Associate Center, Veda Studies strengthens INDICA’s commitment to preserving and transmitting living knowledge traditions in their integrity. This association will continue to nurture serious practitioners and build communities around the world.

Reflecting on this association, Hari Vadlamani notes:

“From the very beginning, Veda Studies has stood for rigor, discipline, and strict adherence to tradition. What it has built over the years is not just a set of courses, but a living ecosystem of practice. Our association reflects something we value deeply at INDICA, that knowledge must not just be studied, but also embodied and transmitted with care.”

Smt. Shantala Sriramaiah reflects:

“When we began Veda Studies, the intention was to make authentic Vedic chanting accessible without diluting the tradition. What has been most meaningful is to see students across the world engage with sincerity and discipline. This association with INDICA allows that work to deepen through engagement with a wider scholarly ecosystem, strengthening our practice-based community and teacher network.”

Hari Vadlamani
Founder & Chief Curator, INDICA

Shantala Sriramaiah
Founder & Teacher – Veda Studies