Fragile palm-leaf manuscripts of Udupi mutts to get digital revival

BENGALURU: Hundreds of fragile palm-leaf manuscripts at Udupi ashta mutts, which are touted to be over eight centuries old, will be preserved in digitised form with the help of state-of-the-art technology.
City-based Tara Prakashana along with US based Megavision EV, multi-spectral imaging company, are using the spectral imaging system to capture these manuscripts in image format.Eleven colours, including ultra-violet and infra-red lights, are used to take unique pictures of these leaves as the visibility of the text improves with each colour.
Using this technology, even if the leaf is damaged, the text can be seen when photos captured with the help of a special camera using multiple spectrum of lights on the object.
The scripts — Nandi Nagari and Nagari — used in the manuscripts are of various sizes ranging from four to 28 inches. While the over 3,000 manuscripts have already been preserved using regular images, over 15-20% are in bad shape and those are the ones to be treated with spectral imaging system.
Prof PR Mukund, founder of Tara Prakashana, said sharp metal objects were perhaps used to engrave on the leaf and then natural colour was splashed on the leaves and hence the letters are intact. “But of all the manuscripts of Sarva Moola Grantha, we have seen in the eight Udupi mutts, over 15-20% of them have become unreadable as either the colour has faded.
Same tech used to preserve first US map
Ken Boydston, founder, Megavision EV, said multi-spectral imaging was used in saving the first American map dating back to 1504, preserved at The Getty Museum in California, the US.
He said what’s illegible to naked eye can be seen through photos clicked using infra-red light. “Camera tests how each leaf responds to different colours. Both visible and non-visible colours are used in taking these photos,” Ken added.
The machine is kept at the office of Tara Prakahsana in JP Nagar, Bengaluru. “The machine stays in Bengaluru as the environmental conditions in Udupi are not conducive because of humidity and temperature of the coastal city,” said Prof Mukund.
Manuscripts preserved using silicon wafers
Besides, the team is also using the unique cotton made archival paper to preserve the manuscripts. The images of the manuscripts are printed on these sheets. “These are 100% cotton sheets and acid-free. One ream of this cotton sheet costs $50 and lasts for 200-300 years if untouched by water or fire,” says Mukunda.
Also, the team has used silicon wafers, a novel storage device, to save the manuscripts in digital format. “We don’t know what digital tools would come up in the next centuries. Hence, we are preserving the images using Waferfiche technology for archiving. We’ve developed a patented technology based on semi-conductor processing. The images of the actual manuscripts are reduced in size to 50 times and etched on silicon wafers. Only illumination and magnification are required to read the manuscripts in the future,” said Mukund.
Unlike the cotton archival sheets, these silicon wafers are fireproof and water proof.
Uday Kumar of Inscription Stones, Bengaluru, who has been working on digitising the inscription stones in the city, appreciated the efforts to digitise palm leaf manuscripts in a unique way. “It’s good to know that someone is working towards preserving manuscripts using modern technology,” he added.