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Madonna has carping Sanskrit pandits eating out of her hands

Madonna has finally found the right mantra. The pandits of the holy city of Varanasi are happy that the pop icon has heeded their advice and brushed up on her Sanskrit pronunciation.

The scholars had been critical of the singer's mispronunciation of the Sanskrit mantras used in her album Ray of Light a few months ago.

But as they watched a live telecast of her rendering the Shanti Ashtangi at Los Angeles on Friday, they could hardly detect any flaws. ''Doing well'' said one, ''Fast learner,'' chimed in another, ''genuine seeker,'' said a third scholar.

However, it did not take long for the critical temperament and pet prejudices, for which they are known all over the country, to take over. ''Why did she apply a Vaishnav tilak on her forehead while reciting a prayer to Shiva?'' they wanted to know.

The perfectionist wisdom of Benaras pandits demands that prayers of specific sects -- Vaishnava, Shaiva and Shakta -- should be conducted according to the rituals of that very sect.

Apart from the tilak faux pas, Madonna had appeared on stage at the 15th MTV video music awards ceremony in true Indian style -- mehndi coated palms, jingling bangles and the like. She was accompanied by three Odissi dancers, Shalini, Shivani and Laboni, all settled in the United States.

UNI

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