Libraries abroad: Persian manuscripts to go digital

Khuda Bakhsh Oriental Public Library (one of the national libraries of India, which is known for its rare collection of Persian and Arabic manuscripts) is organizing a presentation of digital images of some of its manuscripts. These manuscripts will be displayed on screen before the guests.

They include a text on Sufism entitled Wajudul Ashequn and a copy of the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam. Both these works offer beautiful specimen of the art of book— decoration and calligraphy — in the medieval Islamic world. Some digitized paintings from illustrated manuscripts at the library will also be shown on screen.

The digitization of select manuscripts has been done to save them from constant wear and tear due to frequent handling and enable the web hosting of the manuscripts for the readers.

The pilot project is now complete and the outputs are available. The proposed programme is intended to provide a glimpse of the future plan of action of the library and the facilities it is going to provide for readers and visitors coming there.