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information from the collections owned by private institutions and individuals. The total uumber of manuscripts preserved in these branches is now nearing about 55,000 figure. These collections abound with hundreds of extensively illustrated manuscripts comprising thousands of genuine miniature paintings possessed with brilliance, colour-scheme and forth-right expression, sanctity of theme and poetic fervour--the chief characteristic of the various schools of painting which developed in Rajasthan during the ancient and medieval periods. The collection of illustrated manuscripts in the Saraswati 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' ‘Bhagavat-Gita', "Ramayana', 'Harivamsa', 'Kadambari', Malati. Madhava', 'Gita-Govinda', 'Raghuvamsa', 'Panchakhyana,' 'YogaVasistha', 'Sharngadharapaddhati', Prithviraj-Raso', 'Bihari-Satsai', “Rasik-priya', ‘Sundar-Shringara', 'Raga-mala', 'Krishna Rukmini Veli' and the Kalpa-Sutras' etc. The Institute is also alive to the need of bringing out valuable publications based on the rare and rich material preserved in these collections.
The Institute has aptly gained an outstanding position among the other sister Institutes in the country, and its fame has all reason to have crossed the seas as well.
MUNI JINAVIJAYA
Hon. Director, Rajasthan Oriental Research Institute,
Jodhpur.
9-12-65
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