Department of Palmleaf Manuscriptology

Department of Palmleaf Manuscriptology

Functioning from the inception of the Tamil University the Department of Palm leaf Manuscripts has been collecting the rare and valuable Palm Leaf scripts from the temples, mutts, traditional scholars, indigenous medical practitioners, and even from individuals for scientifically preserving them in the first instance and to get them serially published by the University. The Manuscripts so far collected include 9000 in Tamil, 955 in Sanskrit, 68 in Telugu, 12 in Malayalam, 9 in Devanagari and a single script in Pali language. These Manuscripts cover a wide spectrum of subjects such as Grammar, Literature, Epics, Hymnologies, Astrology, Philosophy, Devotional poems, Medicine, Supernatural men and matters and Metaphysics.

Courses offered

Master of Philosophy (MPhil)
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

bjectives

=> Collection of Palm leaf manuscripts
=> Preservation of Palm leaf manuscripts using new scientific techniques
=> Preservation of rare manuscripts through digitization and microfilming
=> Establishment and management of Palm leaf archives
=> Publication of books based on the materials found in the manuscripts, (translation with notes and commentaries)
=> Publication of the materials related to humanities and science from the Palm-leaf manuscripts, and conducting workshops for the benefit of the students and public.

Achievements

=> The Department has collected more than 8000 palm leaf manuscripts covering several subjects such as Philosophy, medicine, astrology, grammar and Sangam literature. Among these 6410 are Tamil works.
=> More than 58 books have been published by the faculty members
=> The Department has organized 19 seminars, 18 workshops and some refresher courses.
=> Descriptive catalogs of the manuscripts have been prepared: 8 volumes containing 400 titles of manuscripts have been published. Two volumes with 1000 titles are ready to be published.