Preserving past knowledge for future
The Oriental Research Institute (ORI), established by Maharaja Chamaraja Wodeyar in October 1891 and housed in the historic ‘Jubilee Building’ built to mark Queen Victoria’s jubilee on June 20, 1887, created history when renowned scholar R Shama Sastry brought to light Chanakya’s Artha Sastra of 322 BC for the first time. It drew global attention, both of scholars and commoners.
With over 60,000 rare and valuable palm leaf and paper manuscripts, it is a prestigious institution of the Mysore University.
After its first publication by the professor in 1909, ‘Artha Sastra’ has seen six prints.
The last one, edited by 93-year-old Sanskrit scholar Venkatanathachar, was released by Governor H R Bharadwaj last year. Its reprint was possible as vice-chancellor Talwar sanctioned Rs 15,000 from the university funds.
The palm leaf treatise on statecraft and economic policy is kept tied and wrapped in a cloth in a cabinet. No one can open it and take out the precious manuscript without the director’s permission.
“The manuscript is in a good condition; it is preserved as it was,” says Director M Shivakumaraswamy.
After a report that the manuscript was in danger, even the Governor evinced interest about its safety and when he visited ORI recently, he personally saw the palmleaf work. Though Chanakya’s ‘Artha Sastra’ is of fourth century BC, this manuscript is estimated to be 450 years’ old.
After taking over, Shivakumaraswamy has got the 60,000-odd manuscripts bifurcated subject-wise and got the roll of honour of his predecessors displayed. Presently, scholars are deciphering three palmleaf manuscripts for publication.
Bharatanatya Sastra is a rare work and relates to Indian dance. Jagannatha Vijaya, a Sanskrit work written in Kannada script, gives varied examples relating to grammar. The third manuscript, Sarada Tilaka, is in the Thigalari script and about 200 years old. It relates to mantra (hymns), tantra, and jyothishya (astrology).
Thanks to the director’s efforts, ORI is on the website now. He has initiated steps to safeguard the 124-year-long collection from fire mishap. Recently, fire brigade staff inspected the heritage building. Their report is awaited.
A repository of knowledge, ORI is known for its scholars and research work on ancient texts. But, of late, it is facing hassles as some of his predecessors lacked initiative. Besides, bureaucratic hurdles are bogging its progress.
On Thursday, it has only six research scholars, of whom two are temporary. There is urgent need to fill the vacant five posts. Posts of ministerial staff too have not been filled up. The micro-filmed negatives are lying neglected. The age-old heritage building needs urgent repairs and restoration.
The director lacks financial powers even to buy a match-box. Lack of a separate statute has become a drawback.
A project to digitise to save the knowledge hidden in the mansicripts needs to be initiated immediately.
All these will be possible if the University bodies evince interest. But, right now things seem to be moving the other way.