ಅಮೇರಿಕಾದಲ್ಲಿ ಹಸ್ತಪ್ರತಿ ಅಭಿಯಾನ

  ನಮ್ಮ  " Save &Study Manuscripts" ಅಭಿಯಾನ ಅಮೇರಿಕಾದಲ್ಲೂ  ಅನೇಕರಿಗೆ ಅಸಕ್ತಿ ಮೂಡಿಸಿದೆ. ಬರುವ ಭಾನುವಾರ ಒಂದು ಸಭೆ ಏರ್ಪಾಟಾಗಿದೆ. ಅಲ್ಲಿ ವಿಚಾರ ವಿನಿಮಯ ನಡೆಯಲಿದೆ. ಅನೇಕ ವಿದ್ವಾಂಸರು ಆಸಕ್ತಿ ತೋರಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ಪೆನ್‌ ವಿಶ್ವ ವಿದ್ಯಾಲಯದ ದಕ್ಷಿ ಏಷಿಯಾ ಭಾಷಾವಿಭಾಗದ ಮುಖ್ಯಸ್ಥರು ವಿಚಾರ ವಿನಿಮಯಕ್ಕಾಗಿ  ಆಮಂತ್ರಣ ನೀಡಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ಹೋಗಲು ಆಗುವುದೇನೋ ನೋಡಬೇಕು. ನನಗೆ ಎಲ್ಲ ಕಡೆ ಹೋಗಲು ಸೌಲಭ್ಯವಿಲ್ಲ. ಅದಕ್ಕೆ ಭಾನುವಾರದಂದು ನಾನಿದ್ದಲ್ಲಿಯೇ ಕಾರ್ಯಕ್ರಮ ನಡೆಸಲಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ಈ ಕೆಲಸ ಅಂತರಾಷ್ಟ್ರೀಯ ಮಟ್ಟದಲ್ಲಿ ಗಮನ ಸೆಳೆದಂತೆ ಕಾಣುವುದು. ಇದರಿಂದ ಅನುಕೂಲ ಆಗಬಹದು. ತಾವೂ ಅಭಿಯಾನದ ಕೆಲಸ ದಲ್ಲಿ ಭಾಗಿಯಾಗಲು ಸ್ವಾಗತ. ಎಚ್‌.ಶೇಷಗಿರಿರಾವ್

 prastaapa@yahoogroups.com; ashwatham@gmail.com;anasuya_1948@yahoo.com
From: prastaapa@yahoogroups.com
Date: Tue, 17 Jun 2014 21:04:44 -0400
Subject: [prastaapa] Morning with Mr. H. Seshagiri Rao

Dear Friends:

I am writing this to you all to invite you all to an interesting session with Sri H. Seshagiri Rao.
He will share his unique idea of preserving manuscripts in India. His success and vision.

Please see the attachments for more information.

Mr. H.S. Rao's daughter Prema Shailesh has kindly agreed to host us all for this get together on Sunday, Jun 22, 2014.
It is a very short notice but please try to make it.
Please RSVP at your earliest convenience if you can make it.

Date:                SUNDAY 6/22/2014
Get together: 10:30 - 11:00 AM
Talk by Mr. H.Seshagiri Rao on  "Save and Study Manuscripts" project - 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Light Refreshments - 12:30 -1:30 PM
Address: # 1605, North Oaks BLVD
                 North Brunswick 08902
                 Home # 732-354-3358 

No Potluck this time.
Thanks and See you all on Sunday.

Thanks,

                               “Save & Study Manuscripts” Campaign

 India was the cradle of ancient civilization with a great history dating back to several millenniums. It has got a treasure of knowledge which passed on for thousands of years through oral tradition. The first ever writing started from 600 BC since the time of Asoka the great. Later on works of great importance were written down on palm leaves, parchment, metal sheets, bark of the tree, specially prepared cloth etc. and they are called manuscripts.

In south India ancient writings are mostly found on palm leaves. There are thousands of manuscripts in several languages and scripts dealing with several subjects. The importance of manuscripts was realized during the time East India company rule and Colonel Collin Mackenzie was a pioneer in the field of collection. Most of them were sent to England. Still manuscript are there in temples, ancient houses, Mutts and private persons. Now ORI, Universities and some private institutions are having Manuscript collection. Manuscripts Mission of India is trying to protect them.

B.M.Sree Prathistana, Bangalore in Karnataka is the first ever private institution which tried to preserve our ancient knowledge. It has a collection of 1500 manuscripts in seven languages and scripts. 

A campaign named “Save and study Manuscripts “aims at collection, conservation and study of the contents through the application modern technology. Collection of manuscripts is possible only through creation of awareness among the people with the help modern media and social networking.  In most of the Manuscript library they are preserved through Physical and chemical procedure. Permanent solution is Digitalization.

The study of manuscripts started in the beginning of last century. There are scholars who devote their entire life using traditional and time consuming methods. There number is dwindling day by day.    Many works are available in printed form that too in remote libraries. Time, space and cost are the great hindrance in the study of manuscripts.

 The objective of “Save and study manuscripts “are as follows:

Main objectives:

1.       Creation of awareness among the public by making use of modern media and social networking.

.      2. Collection of original manuscript, or at least scanned copy through persuasion.

3. Conversion of manuscripts into digital form.

4.       Preparation of catalogue.

5.       Translation and transcription of manuscripts.

6.       Making the contents available through web site to the students, scholars and interested Public.

Strength:

1.  

1. Ours is a scholarly literary research institution founded by eminent writer Pro. M.V. Seetharamaih. It   conducts various literary and cultural activities and imparts training to M.Phil. And P had students .Great literary stalwarts like Pro. M.H.Krishnaiah, Dr. P.V.Narayana.  Pro.A.R. Mitra and host of others are actively associated with it.

2.  We have already in possession of thousands of manuscripts

3. Mrs. Seetha laxmi leads the technical team of 25  volunteers from India and abroad helping in the digitalization work.

4. Mr.Guruprasad and team are in to classification, conservation and cataloguing work.

5.  Intensive   practical training is given in conservation to post graduate students through one week work shop.  It is proposed to conduct such workshops on regular basis to prepare skilled man power.

6. Digitalization work is in progress .Several volunteers are involved and some are working for a nominal fees.

7.  Draft catalogue of nearly 300 works is ready.

8. More and more people are showing interest.

Challenges

1 .Selection of digitalized works which are complete and worthy to be published.

2 .Translation and transcription of such works.

3. Identifying the persons who can undertake this work on line voluntarily or for honorarium.

4 .Distribution and collection of the folios of the work to several qualified and trained persons on line with in the dead line.

5. Compilation and editing of the work by an expert committee (language wise, subject wise and script wise).

6. Publication of original folio along with translation or transcription for the benefit of scholars and students.

7. Preparation of e-book and its publication for common readers.

8. Placing the contents on-line and make it available to all he interested people.

 Weakness

1.        Scholars who can read the manuscripts are small in number. They are not Computer savvy and many of them can’t afford the gadget. Most of them expect due reward for their work

2.       Most of the younger generation have no aptitude towards this kind of work because the work is not lucrative.

3.       Lack of equipment.  and Scarcity of dedicated man power

4.       Building up of teams of scholars, technocrats, managerial and back room workers.

5.       Mobilization  of  Funds

Solution

1.       Senior scholars can be given basic training in the use of computer and a simple system can be given if needed. Remuneration can attract them towards the work

2.       Youngsters can be initiated and equipped through proper training in reading manuscripts with an opportunity to work along with scholars. They should be convinced of a rewarding career in the field of knowledge and research.

3.       Efforts can be made to procure used laptops and systems from companies and individuals who opt for improved version.

4.       A team of volunteers is to be built and entrusted with different tasks, even honorarium may be thought  of if required.

5.       Resources can be mobilized through various interested individuals, institutions and agencies.

Prospects

  The success of the pilot project may induce private collectors, institutions government department, universities and others who have manuscripts in digitalized form to make use of our network of scholars and technocrats to bring to light the contents in their possession.

Student, researchers, scholars and public may access the ocean of knowledge with the flick of their fingers whenever they like and where ever they are.

All the interested persons are most welcome to join in the venture of protecting and propagating the ancient knowledge of India

H. SeshagiriRao

Director,

Save & study manuscripts campaign.

B.M.Sri. Prtistana

Bangaluru-560019

Karnataka

India

Appaaji@gmail.com

Mobile -011-91-9448442323.

Land line- 011-91-80-26613929