Preservation of Textual Heritage With Stress to Malayalam Manuscripts

Authors

  • Suneetha T V Thunchath Ezhuthachan Malayalam University, Tirur, Kerala, India

Keywords:

Textual Heritage, Heritage Conservation, Digitization, Digital Text Care, Storage Technology, Conservation Technology, Malayalam Digitisation, Malayalam Manuscripts.

Abstract

India has a vast cultural heritage. One of the main categories of it is textual heritage. Heritage conservation activities to protect textual heritage available in various forms such as palm leaves and paper from destruction are the necessity of the times. Digitization is one of the most important processes in textual heritage conservation. Although millions of texts have been preserved in this way, the process faces various challenges. The best method available today to solve them is to prepare XML from the Unicode source of the text and then store the text in various formats such as HTML, ePub, and MediaWiki. It is essential to consider the content and layout of the text as different entities and to understand the importance of the text in it and move towards innovative text-centric conservation methods. "Sayahna" is presented as a good example of such a method in Malayalam.

Author Biography

  • Suneetha T V, Thunchath Ezhuthachan Malayalam University, Tirur, Kerala, India

    Suneetha T. V. is Professor and Dean at the School of Cultural Heritage Studies, Thunchath Ezhuthachan Malayalam University, Tirur, Kerala. She began her professional career in the media, working with leading Malayalam television channels such as Asianet and Amrita TV, and received the Kerala State Television Award for her contributions to television journalism. An accomplished writer and researcher, she has authored several books including E-Malayalam, Malayalathinte E-Jeevitham, Malayalavum Internetum, Thantedam: Aanlokathe Penkazhchakal, and Adukkalayil Ninn Adarkkalathelek: Arya Pallam. Her writings explore the intersections of language, digital media, gender perspectives, and cultural studies. She has also published numerous research papers and popular articles in these fields. Some of her books are prescribed as textbooks in universities across Kerala. She is a recipient of the Merryland Malayali Association Award and has received fellowships from the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy and the University Grants Commission for her scholarly and creative contributions.

References

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Language Technology

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Published

2026-03-22

Issue

Vol. 13 No. 1 (2026): Language Technology

Section

Articles

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