The National Mission for Manuscripts on the Karyavattom campus of the University of Kerala has offered to conserve for free manuscripts damaged in the recent deluge. The initiative has been taken up on the directions of the National Mission for Manuscripts Director to intervene to salvage documents as part of a Union government project.
Shaji P.L., National Mission for Manuscripts chief conservator on the Karyavattom campus, said that in the wake of the floods they were visiting various houses for conservation of manuscripts. Those who needed urgent help could also contact them. However, if help was required on a larger scale, conservators from the New Delhi office would step in. The mission would conserve handwritten documents — both palm leaf and paper. The crucial thing to remember was not to throw away handwritten documents on the premise that they could not be salvaged, he said. Documents made of handmade paper would survive a few days in water, he said.
A few other things should also be remembered, Mr. Shaji said. The first thing that can be done is to blot out all water from a manuscript using blotting paper or cotton. Care should also be taken not to open the document immediately. It should not be dried in the sun to prevent bleaching or cracking or curling of the manuscript; drying should only be under shade or under a fan. Only after the manuscript was dry should it be opened, Mr. Shaji said.
Lemongrass coating
Manuscripts over 300 years old should be handled with extreme care, he said. The manuscript leaves could stick together and come apart. Those going back to 200 to 300 years could be handled more easily.
In the hands of conservators, the manuscripts are given a coating of lemongrass combined with an anti-fungal using a brush to ensure their longevity. It was important to know that documents need not be thrown away and could be salvaged using expert help, he said. Call 0471 2417245, 9747299090.
