DigitizeManipur
- Exploring an International Learning Community -
- to Preserve and Promote the Ancient Wisdom of Manipur -

* L Somi Roy

From April 21-27, 2008, archivists and scholars from the University of Kentucky and International Dunhuang Project at The British Library visited Imphal to study Manipur's endangered manuscripts. This fact-finding team represented a consortium that also includes the New York Public Library and the Cambridge University Buddhist Institute.

The DigitizeManipur project and visit were initiated and organized by L. Somi Roy, a media curator based in New York and a native of Manipur.

This visit to assess private Manipuri archives for their preservation and conservation was made possible by a grant from the Shelly and Donald Rubin Foundation. Additional support was extended by The Office of the Chief Minister of Manipur and D.S. Poonia, Principal Secretary (Home), of the Government of Manipur. The visitors were hosted by Manipur University.

The objective of the DigitizeManipur project is to survey, examine and assess ancient and historic manuscripts, and to prepare to undertake their digitization for their preservation, conservation and study. The project is a private undertaking that is in its exploratory stage and will be followed by an examination of possible strategies for its future development.

Assessing the Manipuri Archives

• Evelyn Knight, Ph.D., Director, The Appalachian Center, University of Kentucky
• Mary Molinaro, Director, Preservation and Digital Programs, University of Kentucky Libraries
• Rachel Roberts, Photographer, International Dunhuang Project, The British Library
• L. Somi Roy, Project Director, New York based independent media and arts curator
• Rebecca Ryder, Head of Preservation Services, University of Kentucky Libraries.

• The University of Kentucky, Lexington, USA
• New York Public Library, USA
• International Dunhuang Project, The British Library, UK
• Cambridge University Buddhist Institute, UK

• Professor Ch Yashawanta Singh,
• Dr, Nongthongbam Premchand,
• Dr. N. Aruna Devi and
• L. Somi Roy.

• Professor Ch. Yashawanta Singh;
• Dr. Ch. Priyoranjan Singh;
• Dr. Paonam Gunindro Singh; and
• Professor Gangmumei Kamei.