Preserving Palm-Leaf Manuscripts: A Visit to the Oriental Research Institute & Manuscripts Library
Palm-leaf manuscripts were the starting point for Ōlai, our Summer ‘26 collection. A visit to the Oriental Research Institute & Manuscripts Library in Kariavattom, Thiruvananthapuram offered the opportunity to spend time with the manuscripts themselves, and to learn more about the traditions, knowledge systems, and conservation practices that have kept them alive for centuries.
Established from a manuscript collection initiated during the reign of Maharaja Swathi Tirunal, the library has grown into one of India’s leading centres for manuscript preservation. Today, it has over 65,000 manuscripts, the majority in Sanskrit and Malayalam, alongside collections in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Bengali, Assamese, Burmese, Indonesian and several other languages. Together, they cover an extraordinary range of subjects, from literature, philosophy and grammar to medicine, astronomy, mathematics and ritual practices.
Notable Manuscripts
The visit centered around a conversation with Assistant Professors Dr. Rejani R.S and Dr. Sainaba M. Before the interview began, Dr Rejani gave a quick tour on the manuscript collections, introducing some of the library’s most remarkable collections. Among them was the Chitra Ramayana, where scenes from the Ramayana are illustrated directly onto palm leaves using a stylus. There were also palm-leaf manuscripts from Indonesia depicting episodes from the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, showing how these stories travelled beyond the Indian subcontinent. Another memorable piece was a garland made entirely from tiny palm-leaf beads, each inscribed with verses from the Devi Mahatmya. There were rare manuscripts written with ink rather than the more common method of inscribing onto the leaf with a stylus.
Walking through the library, it became clear that this wasn’t just a collection of old manuscripts. Every shelf represented centuries of knowledge that had been carefully preserved and continuously cared for.
What is a Palm-Leaf Manuscript?
Dr. Rejani began by explaining what a palm-leaf manuscript actually is. Long before paper became widely used, palm leaves served as one of the primary writing materials across South India. Depending on the region, leaves from trees such as the Talipot and Palmyra palm were selected while still unripe, boiled in a mixture of milk and turmeric, dried in the shade to prevent cracking, polished smooth with marble stones, cut to the required size, and bound together with thread. Once prepared, text was inscribed onto the surface using a stylus. Natural pigments, typically made from soot or plant-based materials, were then rubbed into the incisions to make the writing visible before the surface was wiped clean.
Traditional Palm-Leaf Manuscript Conservation Practices
One of the first things that stood out was the smell of lemongrass. As Dr. Rejani explained, it plays an important role in conservation even today. The library’s conservation team regularly treats the manuscripts with a mixture of lemongrass oil and isopropyl alcohol to protect them. With a collection of this scale, completing one full cycle of oiling takes nearly six months, after which the process begins again.
As the conversation moved towards how these manuscripts have survived for centuries despite being made from something as delicate as a palm leaf, Dr Rejani explained that preservation begins long before a manuscript is ever written. As mentioned, this early preparation strengthened the leaves and helped protect them from insects. In many homes, manuscripts were hung above wood-fired stoves during the monsoon so that the smoke could prevent mold, while occasional drying in mild sunlight helped keep them in good condition. Even handling them requires care. As Dr Rejani put it, a palm-leaf manuscript should be held “like an infant” - gently, patiently, and with an awareness of just how fragile it is.
How the Medium Shaped South Indian Scripts
Another aspect of the discussion was the relationship between the medium and the scripts themselves. Palm leaves didn’t simply preserve the languages. They influenced how it evolved. Since text was inscribed onto leaves using a stylus, long, straight strokes could easily split or damage the surface. Over time, South Indian scripts developed more rounded forms that were better suited to writing on palm leaves. The narrow shape of each leaf also led to space constraints, so scribes packed text closely together with very little gaps. Many of these characteristics continue to be seen in South Indian scripts today.
Preserving India’s Knowledge Systems
Beyond the physical manuscripts themselves, the conversation turned to their relevance in the present day. As Dr. Sainaba explained, much of the history we commonly encounter begins with the arrival of print. Palm-leaf manuscripts preserve an even earlier history, documenting the knowledge, ideas and experiences of people long before printed books became common. They also contain a vast body of what is now referred to as India’s knowledge systems, much of which still remains unexplored. One of the biggest challenges, she explained, is that there are very few experts today who are trained to read, decipher and accurately interpret these manuscripts.
Preserving these manuscripts, therefore, is about much more than conserving palm leaves. Losing a manuscript could mean losing historical records, scientific knowledge, mathematical ideas, medical practices, legal agreements or details of everyday life that exist nowhere else. In some cases, even the loss of a single leaf could mean that valuable information is gone forever.
The Role of Digitisation in Preservation
The discussion also explored the role of digitisation in preservation. Around 85-90% of the library’s collection has already been digitised, allowing researchers to work with digital copies instead of repeatedly handling the original manuscripts. At the same time, digitisation is not seen as a replacement for preserving the physical manuscripts themselves. While digital formats and storage technologies continue to change, many of the original manuscripts have already survived four to five centuries and beyond. The long-term goal is to preserve both - the original manuscripts for future generations, and the digital copies to make the collection more accessible for research.
The Future of Palm-Leaf Manuscripts
When asked about the future of these manuscripts, Dr. Sainaba spoke about the importance of introducing younger generations to them. For many, they remain as something unfamiliar, simply because they are rarely encountered in classrooms or textbooks. Yet these manuscripts contain generations of accumulated knowledge that is still waiting to be studied and understood. She hopes that more young people will see them not as historical curiosities, but as valuable sources of data that we still have much to learn from.
Perhaps the most memorable part of the visit wasn’t a particular manuscript or conservation technique, but the passion with which both Dr. Rejani and Dr. Sainaba spoke about their work. Every answer reflected years of research, but also a deep sense of responsibility towards preserving this collection and everything it represents. It served as a reminder that the survival of these manuscripts has never been accidental. Behind every bundle of palm leaves is the work of people who continue to care for them, ensuring that centuries of knowledge remain available for generations to come.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a palm-leaf manuscript?
A palm-leaf manuscript is a traditional writing medium used across South and Southeast Asia before paper became widely available. Text was inscribed onto specially prepared palm leaves using a stylus, after which natural pigments were rubbed into the incisions to make the writing visible.
How were palm-leaf manuscripts made?
Unripe palm leaves were boiled in a mixture of milk and turmeric, dried in the shade, polished to create a smooth writing surface, and cut to size. Holes were then made so the leaves could be threaded together into a manuscript.
Why have palm-leaf manuscripts survived for so many centuries?
Their longevity is the result of careful preparation and continuous care. Traditional preservation methods included smoke treatment, periodic drying, and natural insect repellents such as lemongrass and camphor. Today, conservation teams continue this work using specialised preservation techniques.
Why are South Indian scripts rounded?
The use of palm leaves as a writing surface influenced the development of South Indian scripts. Since text was inscribed with a stylus, long, straight strokes could damage the leaf, making rounded letterforms better suited to the medium. The narrow shape of the leaves also led to space constraints, which led scribes to pack text close together with very little gaps. These practical adaptations gradually shaped many of the characteristics seen in South Indian scripts today.
What kinds of knowledge do palm-leaf manuscripts contain?
Palm-leaf manuscripts document a wide range of subjects, including literature, philosophy, mathematics, astronomy, medicine, grammar, ritual practices, and law. Together, they offer valuable insight into the knowledge systems and everyday life of earlier societies.
Why is it important to preserve palm-leaf manuscripts today?
These manuscripts preserve historical records and knowledge that often exist nowhere else. Conserving and digitising them helps ensure that future generations can continue to study and learn from them while protecting the fragile originals.