Two-Day Workshop on the Conservation of Ancient Scripts and Manuscripts of Himachal
Shimla: The Indian Institute of Advanced Study (IIAS), Shimla, is organizing a significant two-day workshop titled “पश्चिमी हिमालय के अन्तर्गत पुरातन लेखनकला की धरोहर हिमाचल की लिपियों व पाण्डुलिपियों का संरक्षण (Conservation of the Heritage of Ancient Palaeography: Scripts and Manuscripts of Himachal under Western Himalayas)” on April 21–22, 2026.
This workshop focuses on the preservation and study of rare scripts born from the Sharda script, such as Pabuchi, Bhatakshari, Pandwani, and Chandwani, which are preserved in the “Sancha” manuscripts across regions like Shimla, Sirmaur, Kullu, and Jaunsar-Bawar. The event aims to address the documentation, digitization, and technical aspects of reading these ancient records of Indology.
Inaugural Session Details:
• Date: April 21, 2026 (Tuesday)
• Time: 10:30 AM
• Venue: Siddharth Vihar Auditorium, IIAS, Shimla
Program Highlights:
• Inauguration of Exhibition: The session will commence with the opening of a specialized manuscript exhibition.
• Chief Guest: Prof. Himanshu Kumar Chaturvedi, Director, IIAS.
• Chairperson: Prof. Dev Dutt Sharma, Former Vice-Chancellor, S.P.U. Mandi, H.P.
• Keynote Address: Prof. R.C. Sinha, National Fellow, will deliver a speech on the “Utility and Conservation of Manuscripts.”
• Welcome & Introduction: Prof. Om Prakash Sharma, Tagore Fellow and Workshop Coordinator.
You are cordially invited to cover the inaugural ceremony of this academic and cultural endeavor to preserve the linguistic heritage of the Himalayas. Concept Note of Seminar and complete schedule of the workshop is also attached.
