Call for dedicated dept., district repositories to preserve ancient manuscripts

Manuscripts are an important medium for introducing the knowledge, culture and traditions of ancestors to future generations, Vice-Chancellor of Kannada University, Hampi, D.V. Paramashivamurthy has said.

Inaugurating the 23rd All Karnataka Manuscripts Conference by lighting a lamp at the auditorium of Karnataka Arts, Science and Commerce College in Bidar, he said that Kannada University is the only university in the country giving special emphasis to the study and preservation of manuscripts by organising conferences dedicated to the subject.

The conference was jointly organised by Kannada University, Hampi, Karnataka Arts, Science and Commerce College, the Kalyana Karnataka Research Centre of K.R.S. Institution and the Bidar district unit of the Kannada Sahitya Parishat.

“Kannada script has evolved over nearly 1,000 years, making the reading of ancient manuscripts a challenging task today. However, this should not lead to their neglect, as they contain invaluable information about the region’s culture, history and traditions,” he said.

“The collection, preservation, editing, study, teaching, interpretation and analysis of manuscripts have helped generate significant cultural awareness over the past three decades,” Prof. Paramashivamurthy said.

1,535 manuscript works

Vice-Chancellor of Bidar University B.S. Biradar released the book, Hastaprati Vyasaanga 26 (Manuscript Studies 26).

He appreciated the efforts to identify scholars whose contributions have remained largely unrecognised, discuss their scholarship and knowledge traditions and publish their lectures in book form.

K.R.S. Institution president Basavaraj Jabashatti said that the event provides an opportunity to revisit Bidar district’s manuscript wealth, reread ancient prose literature and undertake fresh studies of classical literary works through various sessions.

Head of the Department of Manuscriptology at Kannada University, Hampi, Veeresh Badiger said that the department is the country’s first and only study centre established specifically for manuscript research.

“Manuscripts, recorded on palm leaves, birch bark and paper, are important sources for understanding India’s pre-colonial knowledge systems, cultural richness and book traditions. Bidar district has 1,535 works contained in 915 manuscript bundles, reflecting the region’s rich intellectual heritage,” he said.

Senior manuscript scholar N. Geetacharya from Bengaluru expressed concern that although government departments are there for the preservation of inscriptions, archaeology, records, books and antiquities, there is no dedicated department for manuscripts.

“Valuable manuscripts are being neglected and destroyed because of inadequate preservation facilities. The National Mission for Manuscripts earlier supported the collection and preservation of manuscripts, while the Gyan Bharatam Mission is now undertaking surveys and digitisation of manuscripts across the country. Scholars in manuscriptology are also contributing to these efforts,” he said.

Mr. Geetacharya urged the State government to establish a dedicated institution for collecting and preserving manuscripts and set up manuscript repositories at district and taluk levels to protect this valuable knowledge for future generations.

President of the Anubhava Mantapa at Basavakalyan Basavalinga Pattaddevaru said that the conference is of historical significance in preserving Kannada literature, culture and traditions.

Writer Kalyanrao Patil introduced the book Hastaprati Vyasaanga 26.

Basavaraj G. Patil Ashtoor, Satish Patil and president of the Bidar district unit of the Kannada Sahitya Parishat Suresh Channashetty were among those present.

Earlier, a procession honouring conference president N. Geetacharya was taken out from Basaveshwar Circle. It passed through the main streets of Bidar before culminating at the college auditorium.