Gangadhar Meher University (GMU) in Sambalpur has stepped up efforts to scientifically conserve and digitise rare palm‑leaf manuscripts, aiming to safeguard western Odisha’s rich heritage of traditional knowledge.
The university’s Heritage Club, under Vice‑Chancellor Prof Byomakesh Tripathy, has launched a systematic survey across Bargarh, Sonepur and Rairakhol to locate fragile manuscripts at risk of permanent deterioration. Assistant Professor Atul Kumar Pradhan, who heads the club and the School of History, is leading the initiative with research scholars Sambit Mesua and Chudamani Rana.
“During the period of exploration, we have collected nearly 1,000 such manuscripts which are around 70–80 years old and have started work on preserving them,” Pradhan said. He noted that the texts contain valuable insights into literature, philosophy, religion, medicine, astronomy, mathematics, agriculture, rituals and social practices.
The team has also been raising awareness among local communities about the scholarly significance of palm‑leaf manuscripts. “Copperplate manuscripts (Tamra Patra) are durable, but palm‑leaf manuscripts (Tal Patra) are extremely fragile. We are therefore first treating them chemically through a curated conservation process to restore their strength. They are then scanned for digitisation, followed by further treatment and proper storage to ensure their preservation for decades,” Pradhan explained.
The initiative aligns with the national vision of ‘Gyan Bharatam’ for preservation, digitisation and dissemination of India’s manuscript heritage. GMU expects the project to strengthen heritage research and safeguard the intellectual and cultural legacy of western Odisha.
“Villages across western Odisha are dotted with such rare manuscripts with traditional wisdom and knowledge. But due to religious dogmas, people in remote areas are sceptical of handing over these treasures for preservation. We are now planning to conduct awareness drives at potential locations to sensitise people and locate more such scripts,” Pradhan added.