D. Javare Gowda, renowned research scholar, while stating that manuscripts are a treasure trove of knowledge, underlined the need for the government to take steps to preserve them.
“Through manuscripts, we are able to know the lifestyle, traditions and culture that prevailed in society. They (manuscripts) are very important documents and should be declared protected documents by the government. For, if we lose them, we will forever lose the documents pertaining to the culture, life and customs of our ancestors,” he said, during his presidential address at the two-day 11th Karnataka State Manuscript Conference which began at Kannada University, Hampi, on Thursday.
He said the study of manuscripts not only threw light on the past, but also helped present-day researchers analyse and take up further study and research on various issues. “If our manuscripts in Kannada had not been protected, the entire culture and tradition of Karnataka would have been lost,” he said. He complimented the Kannada University for not only establishing a well-equipped Department of Manuscripts, but for also making relentless efforts to collect manuscripts, carry out research as well as preserving manuscripts by way of digitisation, computerisation and bringing out books. Vivek Rai, the former Vice-Chancellor of Kannada University who inaugurated the conference, was of the opinion that manuscripts would help researchers understand the perspective and model adopted by the ancient scholars. This, in turn, would help research students carry out research with new perspectives.
Dr. B.K. Hiremath, research scholar, released ‘Hastaprati Vyasanga –13’, brought out by the university.
Hi.Chi. Borlingaiah, Vice-Chancellor of the university, presided over the function.
Veeresh Badiger, head of the Department of Manuscripts, spoke about the aims and objective of the conference.
