Tigalari Script: Reviving India’s Lost Manuscript Heritage Through Gyan Bharatam Mission
India possesses one of the richest manuscript traditions in the world, preserving ancient knowledge on medicine, astronomy, mathematics, philosophy, and literature. Among the many forgotten scripts, the Tigalari Script has recently gained attention due to initiatives aimed at preserving India’s traditional knowledge systems. With the support of institutions and government programs such as the Gyan Bharatam Mission, efforts are underway to decode and digitize invaluable manuscripts for future generations.
What Is Tigalari Script?
The Tigalari Script is an ancient writing system historically used in the coastal regions of Karnataka, particularly around Udupi and surrounding areas. It was widely used for writing Sanskrit texts, Ayurveda manuscripts, and religious literature.
The script gradually lost prominence over time because of the rise of modern writing systems. As a result, numerous historical manuscripts written in Tigalari remain unread and inaccessible to modern scholars.
Important Characteristics of the Script
Ancient script of coastal Karnataka
Mainly used for Sanskrit and scholarly texts
Preserved in palm-leaf manuscripts
Holds historical and cultural significance
India’s Rich Manuscript Heritage
India is often considered a treasure house of manuscripts. Estimates suggest that the country has more than 50 lakh manuscripts, making it one of the largest collections globally.
Major Scripts Used in Ancient Indian Manuscripts
Devanagari
Sharada
Grantha
Modi
Tigalari
Vattezhuthu
Old Kannada Script
These manuscripts contain information across multiple fields including Ayurveda, astronomy, medicine, mathematics, and philosophy.
However, many challenges continue to threaten this manuscript heritage.
Challenges in Preserving Manuscripts
Some major challenges include:
Script unfamiliarity
Physical deterioration of manuscripts
Lack of digitization
Large amounts of unpublished knowledge
Without proper preservation measures, valuable traditional knowledge may be permanently lost.
What Is Transliteration and Why Is It Important?
Transliteration refers to converting text from one script into another while maintaining the original language and meaning.
Examples
Tigalari Script → Devanagari Script
Old Kannada → Modern Kannada
Importance of Transliteration
Transliteration plays a significant role because it:
Makes ancient texts understandable
Helps researchers access hidden knowledge
Preserves traditional sciences
Supports digital archiving and documentation
Through transliteration, forgotten manuscripts can become accessible to scholars and the general public.
Role of Gyan Bharatam Mission in Knowledge Preservation
The Gyan Bharatam Mission is a government initiative focused on protecting and promoting India’s traditional knowledge systems.
Objectives of Gyan Bharatam Mission
The mission aims to:
Preserve India’s knowledge traditions
Digitize ancient manuscripts
Promote Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS)
Integrate traditional wisdom with modern education
Focus Areas
Ayurveda
Sanskrit literature
Astronomy
Mathematics
Philosophy
Medicine
Conclusion
The revival of the Tigalari Script is more than preserving an ancient writing system; it is an effort to protect India’s intellectual and cultural legacy. Through transliteration, digitization, and initiatives like the Gyan Bharatam Mission, ancient manuscripts can be transformed into accessible resources for researchers and future generations. Preserving these texts ensures that India’s timeless wisdom continues to contribute to education and global knowledge systems.
