What is Prerana Varga?
With Pujya Swamiji’s Blessings, the two global platforms- Prarthana and Yuvadhara are doing exemplary work- in shaping the impressionable minds of tiny tots and creating multi-dimensional activities to expand the horizons of young adults. To inspire and guide children between these two age-brackets, a new and exciting platform has been created. Let Chandrima Kalbag tell you all about it… (September 2026)
The Prerana Varga session began its session. It was a very special one since it was on the first Guru Purnima after this platform was created. We discussed- who is a 'Guru', what is a sankalpa and its implications. The children responded with "A Guru is an enlightened person, who has done a lot of tapashcharya and adhyayan", "Our Guru is literally God", "A sankalpa is a sacred vow", "A promise may be broken, but a Chaturmasya Vishesha Sadhana Sankalpa is a promise to our Guru which can never be broken."
When our kids say this in the Varga, as teachers, we know that we are meeting our objective of bridging the gap between the current western lifestyle and traditional values seamlessly. Our aim is that children should be able to enjoy every session and participate in a safe space.
Prerana Varga was launched in November 2024 with the Blessings of our Mathadhipati -H.H. Shrimat Sadyojat Shankarashram Swamiji. Under the guidance of Dharmapracharaka Dr Chaitanya Gulvady, the team led by Chief Co-ordinator Smt. Ranjana Hosangadi took the opportunity to prepare and implement the project.
In Dr. Chaitanya Gulvady's words: "Prerana is the link between Prarthana and Yuvadhara. H.H. Swamiji conceived of this Varga so that children continue to be connected to our culture, Math and Guruparampara after they graduate from Prarthana Varga and before they are eligible to join Yuvadhara" Truly a great boon and Guru Anugraha upon our children.
Our Chief Co-ordinator motivated the team with, "Our Pujya Swamiji's vision is for our children to be physically and mentally healthy and spiritually enriched. Prerana Varga for ages 12 years and above, is an initiative to empower them during this very impressionable age.
So, our Prerana Varga team members should meet regularly to ideate, research and put together sessions which are informative and interesting, readying our youngsters to cope with and meet life's challenges head on!"
Under her guidance, Smt. Namrata Heranjal and I have been steering the sessions at the Bharat Centre with novel ideas from the entire team. Keeping in mind teenage years, hectic schedules and academic demands made upon this age group of children, we set about planning the curriculum for this online programme. The objective of every development programme is to build KSA - Knowledge, Skill and Attitude. We have attempted to achieve this through regular sessions, workshops and guest lectures.
Children are able to air their views and ask questions in a non-judgmental environment during Vimarsha. We enable them to express themselves without hurting others while developing public speaking skills, vocabulary and confidence. Through each activity, they imbibe the teachings of our Guruparampara, which has been the guiding light of our samaja for over three centuries now. In a short Yoga segment, they are taught simple yogasana-s, Surya namaskar and Pranayama, leading up to Ninada, which each one must learn, in accordance with our Swamiji's Guidance. They also learn to speak in Konkani about our festivals and other observances.
The first event held for Prerana Varga was the online Shankar Jayanti musical theatre. Children shared drawings, sang bhajans and stotra-s, performed Bharatnatyam dance, recorded and edited a video of their skit and learnt a lot about Bharat’s world -renowned 8th century Master- Adi Guru Sankaracharya.
Smt. Nivedita Nilekani conducted some traditional Arts and Crafts workshops. Children had a great time making torana, phulla rangoli, khotte, phulla haru, decorating arati- paleru, urli-s and so much more. Practical, creative and fun workshops are our endeavour to propagate our traditions and instill devotion in every action.
Bhajan workshops conducted by Smt. Anjali Dhareshwar have enabled children to participate in community gatherings and Math events enthusiastically, in sync with her sing-along music tracks.
The Bharat Centre started classes in March 2025, and soon our students had the opportunity to present Bhajan Seva during Janmotsava in June. A short presentation was also made during Navaratri at Karla. Anjali pachi taught them bhajans and I schooled them for compering. The entire practice session was online. We met at the venue only for the final presentation and the children performed flawlessly. We offered Shri Guru Paduka pujan as a Varga with the boys taking sankalpa for Prerana Varga. I was so happy that it felt like I was walking on air!
In Bengaluru, Bhakti Hattangadi co-ordinated with the Prarthana Varga teachers for a combined presentation on Kartikeya during Swamiji's visit. The children were looking so charming in their costumes!
In the Bharat centre, we were pleasantly surprised to learn that Uchcharana workshops (for our Math prayers and stotra-s) are the most popular amongst children.
Crafts like origami add lighter moments to the class while conveying the significance of symbols like the lotus flower or the tradition of distributing til-gul during Makara Sankranti. Students take turns to teach some fun activities too, like garba during Navaratri.
Skill development, especially in journaling and exam preparation, were introduced through guest lectures. These help children to deal with stress, organise their thoughts and express themselves at a young age.
Yoga sessions (conducted by Smt. Meenakshi Baljekar - a trained instructor) and brain gym, takes care of physical well-being.
As a teacher, I feel fulfilled and my heart swells with pride for my students when parents report "My son said that the Samvatsara is going to change on Yugadi." "My son volunteered to help his grandmother at the Samvit Sudha stall" "My daughter got an opportunity to compere the programme based on her performance in the Prerana Varga presentation at Karla."
These small and big life skills are like a beacon of hope for the journey ahead.When honed to perfection, they will be like a steadfast lighthouse guiding one through the stormy seas of life.
The best way to teach is by example. So, training programmes are arranged for the entire Prerana Varga team, teachers and resource members too globally, by an accomplished panel of experts. The correct Uchcharana, Yoga and Ninada, reading diacritical marks, are essential elements in the curriculum of Prerana Varga teachers. Personally, I felt HH Swamiji's presence guiding me ahead while fulfilling my long-standing wish to attend a Ninad workshop.
Our Prerana Varga students and team members are progressing under the benevolent and watchful eye of our Beloved Swamiji. He has provided many new opportunities for us, including the upcoming Kara Seva Shibir in December 2026, where our students will participate for the first time.
This has been a great learning experience for me. Prerana Varga has taught us to work together and overcome challenges as a team. I am truly honoured to be a part of this talented and well-knit unit. Since Prerana Varga is in a nascent stage, we have ample opportunity to explore innovative ideas and out-of-the-box pedagogy wherein children can question, express and explore. As teachers, we feel gratified to see our students blossom. Above all, it has been a wonderful seva- opportunity for all of us associated with Prerana Varga as teachers, students, parents and resource persons. As a student aptly remarked "We offer seva and benefit from the learning or experience as well!"
Shankar Jayanti online programme
Navaratri presentation at Karla
Khotte weaving
Presentation on Bhagavan Kartikeya
Arati- paleru workshop