The Oriental Research Institute (ORI) at the University of Mysore, renowned worldwide for safeguarding and publishing rare manuscripts and palm-leaf texts, is now making a groundbreaking leap into the digital era.
Established 138 years ago, ORI boasts an extraordinary repository of approximately 45,000 rare printed books, including invaluable works on Ayurveda, physics, chemistry, and even ancient aviation. To preserve these historical treasures and ensure wider accessibility, the institution has embarked on a large-scale digitisation project.
Highlighting the significance of this initiative, ORI Director DP Madhusudhana emphasized that digitisation is crucial not only for broader global reach but also to prevent the natural deterioration of these ancient texts due to aging and environmental conditions. “Many of these books are over a century old. This effort will enable scholars, researchers, and readers worldwide to access them effortlessly from anywhere,” he stated.
The University of Mysore has already given its approval, paving the way for these rare literary gems to be uploaded onto ORI’s official website. The ambitious project is being supported by philanthropists, with key contributions from Padmapriya, head of the Save Our Country Trust, who has generously donated ₹15 lakh. An MoU has been signed for this two-year-long initiative, which promises to bridge the gap between ancient wisdom and modern technology.
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