Imphal: RK Meghen has called for the establishment of an institute to maintain and do research on the ancient manuscripts of Manipur.
He was speaking during the display of about 300 ancient manuscripts of Manipur written in Meitei script displayed for awareness among the masses of Manipur here on Thursday at Uripok by N Khelchandra Charitable Trust, All Manipur Manuscripts Custodian Association, Khwai Martial Arts Academy.
The manuscripts displayed included the Royal Chronicle which recorded the events from 33 AD till recent times, texts on history, arts, music, medicine, forest, architecture, religion etc which were preserved by the Royal court and various persons.
RK Meghen said the new generation should try to read the ancient texts and understand our culture, history and heritage.
N Tombi Raj, President of the Trust said RK Meghen a descendant of Prince Tikendrajit has worked extensively to learn the ancient arts and lores.
Most of the manuscripts were written in the 35 alphabet’s ancient Meitei script and the new generation is not able to read the valuable information provided in the texts.
He cited the travelogue and ancient text, “Poreiton Khuntok” where the story of some people probably from South China who came to Manipur in search of medicines in the first century AD.
The texts on medicine were relied upon earlier and when scientific research was carried out on prescribed medicines like malaria, and cancer the findings proved that even modern science was not aware of the medicines prescribed.
The medicines already described were later discovered only in recent times, he said.
K Bidhu, President of the custodians association expressed the need for educating the new generation on the old Meitei script so that they can read the old texts of Manipur.
About ten custodians of old records displayed the manuscripts during the exhibition which will conclude on Sep 24.
