India – Sri Lanka Foundation Grant: Palm – leaf manuscript reading and decoding workshop
The Faculty of Siddha Medicine, Trincomalee Campus, Eastern University, Sri Lanka, was awarded a grant by the India – Sri Lanka Foundation, High Commission of India, Colombo, on 30 October 2024 for the project titled “Augmenting Curriculum Development and Research Collaboration with Indian Siddha Medicine Institutions in Tamil Nadu.”
As part of this initiative, Prof. K. T. Sundaresan, Rector, Trincomalee Campus, Eastern University, Sri Lanka; Dr. V. Anavarathan, Dean, Faculty of Siddha Medicine; Dr. B. Uthayanan, Head, Department of Noinaadal Chikitsai; and Dr. K. Vidya dharshini, Senior Lecturer Grade I, Department of Noinaadal Chikitsai, visited three leading academic and research institutions in Chennai, India: the Central Institute of Classical Tamil (CICT), Perumbakkam, the National Institute of Siddha (NIS), Tambaram, and the Central Council for Research in Siddha (CCRS) Headquarters. Furthermore, we visited the Anna Centenary Library and the U. V. Swaminatha Iyer Library (U.Ve.Sa. Library).
A 10-day palm-leaf manuscript reading and decoding Workshop was conducted by the Central Institute of Classical Tamil (CICT) from 25 May to 3 June 2026. The workshop aimed to strengthen participants’ knowledge and practical skills in reading, interpreting, documenting, and preserving Siddha palm-leaf manuscripts, thereby supporting curriculum development and collaborative research.
The inaugural session was graced by Prof. R. Chandrasekaran, Prof. K. T. Sundaresan, Dr. R. Bhuvaneswari, Dr. R. Arulmani, and other distinguished academics and officials, who emphasized the importance of preserving the rich literary and medical heritage of Siddha medicine through palm-leaf manuscript studies.
Following the inauguration, a series of lectures and hands-on training sessions were delivered by distinguished resource persons from the Central Institute of Classical Tamil and other collaborating institutions, covering various aspects of palm-leaf manuscript reading, decoding, textual interpretation, conservation, documentation, and digitization.
| Date | Event / Activity | Resource Person | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25.05.2026 | Tamil Suvadi Arimukam | Prof. M. Soundararajan | An introduction to Tamil palm-leaf manuscripts, their historical significance, preparation, and preservation. |
| Suvadi Padiyeduththal, Pathippu Muraikal | Prof. M. Soundararajan | Manuscript transcription, copying methods, and editorial practices for preparing critical editions. | |
| 26.05.2026 | Maruththuva Suvadikalin Vazhi Marunthu Seymurai | Prof. M. Soundararajan | Studied traditional medicine preparation methods documented in Siddha palm-leaf manuscripts. |
| Siddha Maruththuva Suvadi Payitruviththal | Prof. M. Soundararajan | Practical training on reading and interpreting Siddha medical manuscripts. | |
| Tamil Engal, Sotkalin Porul Marupadukal | Prof. Mani Maaran | Traditional Tamil numerals and semantic variations used in manuscript interpretation. | |
| Tamil Maruththuva Suvadikalin Pathippil Etpadum Sikkalkal | Prof. Mani Maaran | Explored challenges associated with editing and publishing Tamil medical palm-leaf manuscripts. | |
| 27.05.2026 | Suvadi Padiththariyum Kalai | Prof. Mani Maaran | Practical skills in reading and interpreting ancient palm-leaf manuscripts. |
| Kirantha Ezhuththu Arimukam | Prof. Mani Maaran & Dr. G. Jeyaletchumi | An introduction to the Grantha script used in historical manuscripts. | |
| Alakittu Vayipaatu Payitchi | Prof. T. Suvaminathan | Practical training on Tamil grammar for manuscript interpretation. | |
| Pavagaikal | Prof. T. Suvaminathan | Tamil poetic metres and their application in classical literature. | |
| 28.05.2026 | Educational Field Visit – Arunachalesvara Temple, Thiruvannamalai | Dr. N. Periasamy | Practical exposure to epigraphy through the study of temple inscriptions. |
| 29.05.2026 | Visit to U. Ve. Swaminatha Iyer Library | Dr. G. Uthiradam | Practiced reading original palm-leaf manuscripts and learned palaeographic techniques. |
| 29.05.2026 | Visit to Anna Centenary Library | Library Experts | Manuscript conservation, cataloguing, digitization, and archival management practices. |
| 30.05.2026 | Olai Suvadikalil Kuriyeedu | Dr. G. Uthiradam | Symbols, abbreviations, and notation systems used in palm-leaf manuscripts. |
| Siddhar Ilakkiyam | Dr. G. Uthiradam | Siddha literature and the documentation of traditional medical knowledge in manuscripts. | |
| Suvadi Min Uruvaakkam | Dr. T. Suvaminathan | Training in manuscript digitization and digital preservation techniques. | |
| Moola Paada Ayivu | Dr. S. Karumbayiram | Principles of textual criticism and preparation of critical editions. | |
| Elathy Ilakkiyam | Dr. R. Arulmani | Literary analysis and textual criticism using classical Tamil literature. |
