Draṣṭā // Course

Indic Manuscriptology: Bhāratīya Pāṇḍulipi Vijñāna

This workshop will briefly cover the scope, preservation and current status of manuscripts in India.

18 May - 18 May 2024 Completed
About the Course Takeaways and Audience Know your Instructor

Overview

Pāṇḍulipi vijñāna, or Indic manuscriptology, is the study of the knowledge contained within tālapatra and graṅthas, the primary mediums for written manuscripts in Indian culture. Manuscriptology, from Latin Manus (Hand) + Scriptus (to write), is like studying the pulse of the past.

With the imposition of a foreign system of education, our connection with our traditional sources of knowledge have become feeble. The vast amount of knowledge contained in our manuscripts, from subjects on health, polity, language, logic, religion etc. can benefit our collective future immensely, if properly studied. However, uninterest, coupled with lack of qualified scribes is a huge deterrence in making this knowledge more widespread.

Intent

This workshop is an attempt to educate the learners on the importance of manuscripts that were written in our ancient days, going over their scripts, present condition and preservation techniques. As many manuscripts face the threat of disintegration due to aging, it is the need of the hour that people know this science and contribute to effective documentation before we suffer an irreversible loss.

Who is this course for?

  • The workshop is designed for: - Indian Knowledge System Enthusiasts: Deepen understanding of traditional disciplines. - Scholars: Expand expertise in ancient Indian scholarly areas. - Motivated Learners: Learn Saṃskṛt, help decipher ancient texts. - Informed Indians: Discover and preserve traditional śāstras.

Know your Instructor

Ms. Sumithra Veeraraghavan

Ms. Sumithra Veeraraghavan

Ms. Sumithra Veeraraghavan is a graduate in MA Sanskrit and PG Diploma in Manuscriptology and Paleography holder. Having done B.Tech in IT and working for IT companies, her interest went into the direction of reviving ancient manuscripts. Presently she is working with EFEO Germany/Pondicherry as a Scriber. She trains young children in the field of Manuscriptology to enable the next generation’s active contributions to this field.

Her interest in Bharatanṛtyam(nāṭyam), Carnatic Music, Jyotiṣa śāstra, Vāstu Śāstra and other śāstras fueled her even more in the subject of manuscripts too, as the mūla graṅthas are obtained from the ancient past. This motivates her even more in the process of reviving the untouched manuscripts which are in millions.

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