The Oriental Archive Research Centre would be would be organising a one-day workshop on conservation of palm leaf manuscripts here from March 1.

Addressing presspersons here on Thursday, S.A. Krishnaiah, Director of the Centre, said that there was a need to train youth in the techniques of conserving palm leaf manuscripts, stone inscriptions and ancient paper documents having historical value.

If these items were not protected, a slice of history would be lost forever. Many palm leaf manuscripts in Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts were in Tulu. The participants would also be exposed to all subjects connected to preservation of manuscripts.

The Centre aimed at giving hands on training to 25 persons in the first stage. In the subsequent workshops, it intends to increase the number of participants to about 100. Students who had studied history and literature had been selected in the first phase. Those interested in this work could email: prachyasanchaya@gmail.com

The resource persons for the workshop are Jayasimha from Mythic Society, Bengaluru, T. Murugeshi, Professor of Ancient Indian History and Archaeology, MSRS College, Shirva, Venkatesh Jois, inscription expert from Keladi, Radhakrishna Bellur, Vighnaraj S.R. and M.J. Thomas, experts.

The one-day workshop would be of an intensive nature. There would be follow workshops in the coming days for the team trained.

Dr. Jayasimha would deliver the keynote address at the inaugural function. Manohar Shetty, social worker and Dr. Jayasimha would be felicitated on the occasion, Prof. Krishnaiah said.

Nagaraj G.S., Yadav V.K., lecturers, Ramanji from Namma Bhoomi, were present.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Karnataka / by Ganesh Prabhu / Udupi – February 26th, 2015