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[ 8 ] A scheme for the survey of manuscripts, paintings and other art objects has recently been launched by the Institute under the Third Five Year Plan. Seven branches of the Institute have also been established at Jaipur, Alwar, Kotah, Tonk, Bikaner, Chittor and Udaipur to implement Government decision to put all the manuscripts contained in the various libraries and museums of the State under the Rajasthan Oriental Rescarch Institute. The Survey work is proceeding in accordance with the prescribed proformas prepared with a view to derive maximum information from the manuscripts owned by private persons. About 2,500 manuscripts have so far been surveyed. The number of manuscripts preserved in these branches is above 45,000, These collections abound with hundreds of extensively illustrated manuscripts comprising thousands of genuine miniature paintings possessed with brillianci, colour-scheme and forth-right expression, sanctity of theme and poetic fervour-the chief characteristic of the various schools of paintings which developed in Rajasthan during the ancient and medieval periods. The collection of illustrated manuscripts in the Sarswati Bhandar of Udaipur is unique in that the Maharanas of Udaipur patronised the art of painting by getting illustrated manuscripts prepared on the classical and poetic themes as contained in works like the ‘Mahabharat', 'Bhagavad-Gita', 'Ramayana', 'Harivamsa', 'Kadambari', 'Malati-Madhava', 'GitaGovinda', 'Raghuvamsa', 'Panchakhyayana', 'Yoga-Vasistha', 'Sarngadhara-paddhati', 'Prithviraj-Raso', 'Bihari-Satsai', 'Rasik-priya', “Sundar-Sringara’, “Raga-mala', 'Krişna Rukmani Veli', and the ‘KalpaSutras' etc. The Institute is alive to the need of bringing out valuable publications based on the rate and rich material preserved in these collections.
Well set for times yet to come, the Institute has gained an outstanding position in no time among other sister Institutes in the country. Its future is equally bright and is bound to do illustrious work towards the revival of Ancient Indian Culture.
MUNI JINAVIJAYA
Hon. Director, Rajasthan Oriental Research Institute,
Jodhpur.
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