A two-day workshop on “Heritage of Ancient Writing Traditions in the Western Himalaya—Conservation of Scripts and Manuscripts of Himachal Pradesh” was inaugurated at the Indian Institute of Advanced Study (IIAS), Rashtrapati Nivas, Shimla. The event will continue from April 21–22, 2026, focusing on the preservation, digitization, documentation, and study of ancient manuscripts and writing systems.
The workshop aims to promote research and conservation of traditional scripts of the Western Himalayan region, including Pabuchi, Tankri, Pandavani, and Chandvani, which have evolved from the Sharada script. These manuscripts are considered significant sources of India’s knowledge traditions, encompassing subjects such as the Vedas, Puranas, Jyotisha, and Ayurveda.
The inaugural session began with an exhibition showcasing rare manuscripts, offering insights into the region’s rich literary heritage. Workshop coordinator Prof. Om Prakash Sharma highlighted the importance of preserving these invaluable cultural resources and introduced the objectives of the programme.
National Fellow Prof. R.C. Sinha delivered the keynote address, underlining the significance of manuscript studies and conservation efforts. Chief Guest Prof. Himanshu Kumar Chaturvedi described manuscripts as living symbols of India’s intellectual heritage and stressed the need for scientific preservation and digitization through institutional collaboration.
Presiding over the session, Prof. Devdutt Sharma emphasized the academic importance of ancient scripts in understanding Indian history and culture, encouraging young researchers to contribute to the field.
The session concluded with a vote of thanks by Mehar Chand Negi, Secretary of the Institute, while Dr. Akhilesh Pathak conducted the proceedings.
Experts will further discuss manuscript conservation techniques, script studies, and regional traditions in the upcoming sessions of the workshop.
Nurturing Creativity – Keekli Charitable Trust, Shimla
