8-year-old sets record by reciting Gayatri Mantra 21 times in a minute

Tanmay Sharma, class 3 student at Apeejay Svran Global School, was recently felicitated by the India Book of Records. He set a new record of being the youngest, at the age of 8 years and 11 days, to have recited the Gayatri Mantra 21 times in under a minute. He broke the previous record of a child who recited it 19 times at the age of 9 years and 10 months. In an interview, Tanmay shares his preparation routine, new targets and other passions. Edited excerpts:

What was the inspiration behind creating this record?

We registered with the India Book of Records. There we were given this record for consideration. A nine year old boy had recited the Gayatri Mantra 19 times in a minute. So we focused on working to break this record.  We have a religious environment in my family. I worship every day. I also recite the Hanuman Chalisa daily and the Gayatri mantra on occasionally. Therefore, this record appealed a lot to us.  

How did you prepare for this record?

I recorded my voice while chanting, to listen for the clarity of my pronunciation.  Then I recorded the timing of my chanting. Initially it was very unclear. My pronunciation was really jumbled.  But it took me hardly two months and half an hour’s regular practice with my mother (Mrs Vandana Sharma) to achieve this record.

What are some of the new records you have in sight?

I am trying to break the Shiv Tandav Strotram record and the Hanuman Chalisa record. A nine-year-old boy has recited the Strotram within 45 seconds and an adult has recited the Hanuman Chalisa within 1 minute and 12 seconds. I will break the latter record easily.

There is another record which I have broken during practice at home but I am yet to register for it. It is about holding the stretched legs in a split position. The record is held by a girl who had held her legs in that position for 45 minutes. I have gone up to 46 minutes in it.           

You are a budding kickboxer with quite a few titles under your belt, what similarity do you find between kickboxing and chanting mantras?

I do Taekwondo as well along with kickboxing. I think it is only the dedication, the sincere efforts that one puts during practice that is similar between both these fields. There is very less similarity otherwise between kickboxing and Gayatri mantra chanting.  

Does the chanting of the Gayatri Mantra help you in kickboxing in any way?

Yes it does. The India Book of Records and the success in kickboxing is all due to the blessings of the Almighty.  Remembering the almighty by chanting the Gayatri mantra helps me to put my best foot forward in kickboxing.