UDUPI: A professor in Udupi is going all out to preserve and digitise rare palm-leaf manuscripts and copper plate inscriptions.
S A Krishnaiah, who heads the Oriental Archives Research Centre and Gallery, keeps them in an air-conditioned room with a dehumidifier.
The National Trust for Computation and Archival of Oriental Media was set up at the centre near MGM College two years ago.
“Good quality paper lasts about 150 years. We must train people in conservation techniques to save scripts, graphics and epigraphical evidence,’’ Krishnaiah told Express.
‘’I never seek ancient manuscripts for the gallery. People connected with religious institutions where I teach ask how they can scientifically preserve their priceless treasures,” he says.
Six months ago, he received seven Tamil manuscripts, which he carefully cleaned and returned. “I didn’t charge any fee,” he says.
“Most collectors and libraries have no fumigation chambers to check fungus and insect attacks. A gentle application of citronella oil can keep palm leaves from becoming brittle,” he says.
Time, energy, and money must be spent to safeguard the knowledge contained in our manuscripts, he says.
Krishnaiah trains enthusiasts in using the stylus and other tools to preserve manuscripts. He has digitised seven manuscripts and nine inscriptions so far.
His daughter Musica Supriya, an M Tech student at Manipal University, is also keen on preservation, and assists him.