Tadpatra Pandulipi Bachaye

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Tadpatra Pandulipi Bachaye" by Anupam Shah, based on the provided pages:

The book "Tadpatra Pandulipi Bachaye" (Save Palm Leaf Manuscripts), authored by Anupam Shah and published by the Indian Council of Conservation Institutes, is a crucial guide dedicated to the preservation of ancient palm leaf manuscripts. The overarching campaign highlighted is "Abhiyan: Virasat Bachaye" (Campaign: Save Heritage).

The Importance of Palm Leaf Manuscripts:

The preface and introduction emphasize that before the widespread adoption of paper in India, palm leaves were the primary medium for writing, especially in coastal regions. This tradition also extended to countries like Sri Lanka, Thailand, Burma, Laos, and Indonesia. Consequently, millions of these manuscripts have survived, containing invaluable knowledge accumulated over thousands of years. These manuscripts cover a vast range of subjects, including astronomy, mathematics, Ayurveda, grammar, Vedic texts, and Puranas. They often feature beautiful illustrations, showcasing the artistic and cultural heritage of various regions. The book stresses that the loss of these manuscripts would mean the permanent disappearance of significant milestones in human progress and knowledge. Therefore, their preservation is presented as a vital duty.

Understanding the Structure of a Palm Leaf Manuscript:

The book details the process of creating palm leaf manuscripts. It explains that tender green leaves of the palm tree are harvested and then dried using controlled methods. Various techniques are employed to mature the leaves, such as fumigation, boiling, burying them under wet soil, or rubbing them on wood. Not all palm trees are suitable; specific varieties like the Palmyra Palm (Talipot Palm) and the Corypha umbraculifera (Talipot) are preferred.

The leaves are then cut to the appropriate size, and a hole is punched through them to bind the manuscript together with twine. For writing and illustrations, sharp iron styluses are used to engrave the text and images onto the leaves. To make the engraved writing visible, lampblack (kajal ink) is rubbed onto the surface. Illustrations can also be created using brushes. The leaves are then strung together like a garland. For a larger writing surface, palm leaves can be sewn together. Finally, the bound leaves are pressed between wooden boards, and the twine is tightened over the boards to maintain the flatness of the leaves. These boards themselves can be decorated and carved into various shapes.

Causes of Degradation:

The book systematically outlines the various factors that lead to the destruction of palm leaf manuscripts:

• Insects: Pests like termites, silverfish, cockroaches, and booklice consume the leaves.
• Handling and Environmental Factors:
  • Leaves can become stuck together due to oil or other contaminants.
  • Improper drying in direct sunlight or insufficient pressure from the wooden boards can cause leaves to curl.
  • Edges can break due to insect infestation, mishandling by readers, or boards being smaller than the leaves.
  • Dry environments cause leaves to lose moisture and become brittle and break.
  • Overheating from bulbs inside display cases can desiccate the leaves.
  • Carelessness by readers and conservators leads to stains and marks on the leaves.
  • Frequent and uncontrolled movement of manuscripts can enlarge the holes where the twine passes, weakening the binding.
  • Loose binding can cause friction between leaves, leading to the fading of painted images.
  • High humidity, darkness, and stagnant air create conditions for mold growth.
  • Frequent on-and-off cycling of air conditioners causes fluctuations in temperature and humidity, weakening the manuscripts.
• Human Factors: Deliberate vandalism, theft, irresponsible readers, careless staff, indifferent public, and neglectful authorities are significant contributors to the destruction of this cultural heritage.
• Fire: Manuscripts are highly vulnerable to fire, which can destroy thousands of them in a matter of hours.

Methods for Preservation:

The book provides detailed, practical advice on how to protect these valuable manuscripts:

General Preservation:

1. Isolation: Newly acquired manuscripts should not be immediately placed with existing collections to prevent the spread of mold or insects. Clean them with a brush, treat for pests, and isolate for a month before integration.
2. Pest Control: If wooden boards show signs of insect infestation (dust), treat or replace them.
3. Binding: Ensure manuscripts are not tied too loosely. Tie them tightly with twine between the boards to maintain flatness.
4. Storage: Store manuscripts in well-organized closed cupboards or boxes.
5. Wrapping: Wrap manuscripts in thick cotton cloth.
6. Emergency Preparedness: Keep important manuscripts in small, sturdy boxes that can be easily transported to pre-determined safe locations in emergencies.
7. Handling: Turn pages carefully. Avoid making marks on the leaves.
8. Documentation and Access: Catalog and publish manuscripts. Provide copies or microfilms to readers instead of the originals. Document the condition of manuscripts by conservation experts.
9. Regular Inspection: Regularly inspect storage areas and inform authorities of any damage for prompt action.
10. Responsibility: Assign the responsibility for manuscript care to specific individuals.

Protection from Dust and Pollution:

1. Avoid storing collections in dusty or polluted areas.
2. Plant grass and trees around buildings to reduce dust.
3. Locate important collections in inner rooms of buildings.
4. Keep windows closed.
5. Use doormats to remove dirt from shoes and clean them regularly.
6. Store manuscripts in cupboards or boxes.
7. Clean rooms and furniture with a vacuum cleaner or a slightly damp cloth, exercising caution not to damage manuscripts with the vacuum.
8. Sweep gently and carefully to avoid raising dust.
9. Maintain distance between visitors and displayed manuscripts.
10. Consider air curtains at entrances.
11. Position air conditioner air inlets at a height in less polluted parts of the building.
12. Wash incoming air in air conditioners with water sprays to remove dust and sulfur dioxide.
13. Cover manuscripts with cloth when not being read or displayed.

Protection from Light:

1. Remove bulbs from display cases as they dry out the atmosphere and make leaves brittle.
2. Display manuscripts at light intensity below 40 lux, measured with a lux meter.
3. Reduce light intensity by switching off extra lights or using dimmer switches if it exceeds 40 lux.
4. Increase the distance between manuscripts and light sources to reduce intensity.
5. Cover manuscripts and use curtains on windows to protect from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays from sunlight and fluorescent tubes.
6. Install UV filters on window panes and fluorescent tubes.
7. Paint room walls with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, which absorb UV rays.
8. Cover displayed manuscripts with cloth or switch off lights when there are no visitors.

Protection from Insects:

1. Store manuscripts in closed boxes or cupboards.
2. Place insect repellent materials with the manuscripts.
3. Isolate and examine newly acquired manuscripts for insect eggs or larvae to prevent them from spreading to other manuscripts.
4. Be cautious of insect presence in wooden boards.
5. Do not eat in storage or display areas as food attracts pests and rodents.
6. Wash cotton cloth thoroughly and remove starch before wrapping manuscripts to avoid attracting insects.
7. Regularly inspect collections for signs of insect infestation (like wood dust) and report them to authorities. Separate and treat infested manuscripts.
8. Keep insecticide paper with the collection.
9. Install screens on windows.
10. Maintain cleanliness of the environment.
11. Keep boxes and cupboards away from walls and place insecticides on the floor.
12. Chemical fumigation kills insects but requires caution to prevent re-infestation.
13. Build termite-proof structures from the outset.
14. Consult other organizations and experts for pest-related problems.

Protection from Relative Humidity and Temperature:

1. Wrap manuscripts in thick, starch-free cotton cloth and store them in inner rooms. The cotton acts as a buffer, absorbing and releasing moisture slowly, mitigating the impact of rapid fluctuations.
2. If using air conditioners, run them continuously 24/7. If not possible, do not install them in collection rooms. Frequent on-and-off use causes drastic fluctuations that quickly damage manuscripts.
3. Record temperature and relative humidity daily using a dry and wet thermometer and a thermohygrograph. A year of such records helps understand fluctuation patterns and implement corrective measures.
4. Use silica gel in display cases to reduce high relative humidity.
5. A relative humidity below 45% can cause manuscripts to become dry and brittle.
6. Good air circulation is essential in manuscript collection rooms, as high humidity, darkness, and stagnant air foster mold growth.
7. Place tissue paper between painted leaves of illustrated manuscripts.
8. Control visitor traffic.
9. Prevent water accumulation around collections.
10. If a manuscript becomes wet, do not dry it in direct sunlight. Dry it indoors with gentle fan circulation.

Appropriate Storage and Display:

1. Storage rooms should be clean, well-lit, and ventilated.
2. Organize manuscripts neatly in boxes.
3. The lowest shelf should be 6-8 inches above the floor.
4. Maintain a gap between walls and cupboards.
5. Ventilate and inspect manuscripts daily.
6. Keep an inventory of manuscript locations for easy retrieval.
7. Install fire extinguishers, light switches, and fuse boxes outside the collection room.
8. Control visitor access.
9. Do not store paints, chemicals, or flammable materials with manuscripts.
10. Prohibit smoking in collection rooms.
11. Design display cases that can also serve for storage.
12. Support manuscripts with flat surfaces for display.
13. Follow the previously mentioned guidelines for controlling light, dust, temperature, and relative humidity.
14. Regularly rotate manuscripts between storage and display rooms.

Conclusion:

The concluding remarks encourage reflection on the importance of manuscripts and better care. It notes that manuscripts in private homes often fare better due to personal attention. Institutions with large collections have a responsibility for their continuous upkeep, and it is everyone's duty to support such institutions. The book provides contact information for INTACH Indian Conservation Institutes for further queries or suggestions regarding manuscript preservation.

In essence, "Tadpatra Pandulipi Bachaye" is a vital manual that highlights the historical and cultural significance of palm leaf manuscripts, educates readers on the threats they face, and offers comprehensive, actionable strategies for their conservation, ensuring this invaluable heritage is passed on to future generations.