Lilavaikaha

Author(s): K R Chandra, Ramniklal M Shah
Publisher: Prakrit Text Society Ahmedabad

Page 11

The boat-shaped structure of L. D. Institute of Indology situated in the centre of University campus stands as a living monument of Kasturbhai's unflinching affection for Indian Culture. It was inaugurated by the Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru in 1955. This institution received a rare collection of 10,000 manuscripts and 7000 books as a gift from Muni Shri Punyavijayji. At present it possesses a collection of 70,000 mss. and 30 000 printed books, out of which two classified lists of 10,000 and 7000 mss. are published with the financial assistance from the Union and the State Government respectively. Up-till now more than 100 books are published by this Institution, 4800 mss. are converted into transparency while 2000 rare mss. have been microfilmed. Besides these, more than 1000 rare magazines are preserved here. Its Indological Museum has also a collection of rare antics of archaeological interest presented by Kasturbhai and his family-members. Nearly 400 charming specimens of ancient art which include beautiful paintings, attractive apparels and ornaments, pieces of furniture and illustrated manuscripts of 12th century A.D., displayed in this museum, present a memorable glimpse of ancient Indian life and culture. The old structure of Premabhai Hall offended Kasturbhai's aesthetic sense. So it was renovated at the expense of Rs. 56 lakh of which Rs. 32 lakh came as donation from Kasturbhai's family and the Industrial House of Lalbhai Group.
Louis Kahn, the famous architect described Kasturbhai as an engineer with innate genius. Renovations of the temples at Rana. kpur, Delvada, Shatrunjay and Taranga carried out under Kasturbhai's personal supervision fully substantiate Louis Kahn's statement about him. As the head of the Anandji Kalyanji Pedhi he conducted repairs and renovations of holy temples with an artistic flair. He got the Ranakpur Temple, which was left unnoticed for a long time, converted into a beautiful structure. He took great pains to revive the beauty of old sculptures. For renovation of Delvada temples, he had to overcome several hurdles for securing the same kind of marble from Danta hills as was originally used in the temples. The artisans quoted Rs.