Sambalpur: The Gangadhar Meher University (GMU) in Sambalpur district has given momentum to its efforts to scientifically preserve and digitise rare palm-leaf manuscripts to safeguard the rich traditional knowledge heritage of western Odisha.
According to sources, the Heritage Club of the university has undertaken a survey to locate rare manuscripts preserved in remote villages, many of which are in a fragile condition and face the risk of permanent deterioration.
Led by assistant prof Atul Kumar Pradhan, the club has been conducting surveys across western Odisha including Baragada, Sonepur and Redhakhol to identify and document these manuscripts.
Pradhan together with research scholars Sambit Mesua and Chudamani Rana have visited remote areas and collected and documented several valuable manuscripts in last one year. The team has also been creating awareness among local communities about the historical and scholarly significance of palm-leaf manuscripts to encourage their identification and preservation.
Manuscripts contain valuable information on literature, philosophy, religion, medicine, astronomy, mathematics, agriculture, history, rituals and traditional social practices, offering insights into India’s civilisational knowledge, said Pradhan, who also heads the School of History.
“We have collected nearly 1,000 such manuscripts which are around 70-80 years old and have started work on preserving them,” he said.
The university is now taking steps towards their scientific conservation, systematic study and digitisation to ensure that the knowledge preserved in these records remains accessible for future generations. Pradhan further said, “Copperplate manuscripts (Tamra Patra) are durable, but palm-leaf manuscripts (Tal Patra) are extremely fragile.
The initiative aligns with the national vision of Gyan Bharatam for preservation, digitisation and dissemination of India’s manuscript heritage. The university expects the initiative to strengthen heritage research and contribute to safeguarding the intellectual and cultural legacy of western Odisha.
Villages in western Odisha are dotted with such rare manuscripts with traditional wisdom and knowledge. But due to religious dogmas, people are sceptical of handing over these treasures for preservation. An awareness drive is proposed to be conducted at potential locations to sensitise people and locate more such scripts, said Pradhan.