Unlocking past treasures for all to grab
Ajayan |
The treasure troves of Malayalam literature will soon be just a click away, as a grand digital revival breathes new life into rare books and journals. This ambitious digitization project promises to unlock classical Malayalam works that, for years, remained out of print and out of reach for many.
Not too long ago, WikiMalayalam's Wikisource launched a visionary project to build a digital collection of Malayalam books that have outlived their copyright limits. At the heart of this endeavour stands Manoj Karingamadathil, who joined the mission to digitize the works of Kerala’s social reformer Sree Narayana Guru, among other gems, breathing new life into forgotten pages. Today, his efforts enrich the growing library of WikiGranthasala, where he now serves as an administrator.
Yet, Manoj felt that merely archiving works beyond copyright was not enough. His mission was to preserve and digitize the timeless wisdom, artistry and soul embedded in the literary, cultural and scientific heritage of Kerala. With this initiative, he aimed to resurrect these invaluable texts, a revival that brings forgotten voices and ideas into the realm of the here and now. And now work is on to archive the works of renowned doyen and Ayurveda physician, the late Raghavan Tirumulpad. This should offer future generations a treasure trove of rare, authoritative texts - a wellspring of knowledge waiting to be rediscovered.
Adding to this, nuclear engineer, educationist and Marxian philosopher MP Parameswaran, has pledged his entire works for digitization. Once the process begins, expected to start very soon, his thoughts and insights will be freely accessible to all.
These initiatives find their roots in the Sahya Digital Conservation Foundation, a non-profit company Manoj launched in 2022. Guided by a vision of open knowledge and open data, Manoj established Sahya to offer a dedicated institutional framework for the preservation and accessibility of rare, precious collections.
It was recently that, as a pilot project, he embarked on digitizing the documents on Onam spanning over 150 years from the collection of Malayalam scholar P Ranjith who runs the PG Centre in Thrissur.
Manoj’s collaboration with Ranjith traces back to the global Wiki Foundation initiative, Wiki Loves Onam, a vibrant community project that drew participation from Malayalis worldwide. Onam, a festival cherished beyond religious boundaries, is celebrated across continents, bringing people together in unique events and rare celebrations. Ranjith opened the doors of his PG Centre, offering Manoj as a dedicated space for archiving his collection.
It was a small grant provided by Wikipedia Foundation, intended to rejuvenate community engagement, that has come in handy, admits Manoj. As part of this micro grant, he intends getting into community events like citizen science, supporting bird watching and other hands-on learning experiences.
Manoj was associated with the illustrious Gundert Legacy Project of digitizing the complete works of the renowned German scholar Hermann Gundert. A digital copy of this collection was shared with Wikigranthasala, making Gundert's invaluable works accessible to all.
Discussing the intricate digitization process, Manoj explains that beyond scanning, there is the essential step of Optical Character Recognition (OCR), where the text is extracted from images. For OCR to recognize and interpret the content accurately, especially in Malayalam, the system must be “trained” with extensive language data. This challenge inspired Manoj to create a vast data library, enhancing OCR's accuracy and enabling search engines to identify transcribed content more effectively.
However, he notes that working with documents over a century old, many in archaic Malayalam script, presents unique obstacles. Errors can easily slip in, as the OCR software grapples with faded ink, irregular script and obsolete characters. Each document requires a meticulous eye and multiple rounds of correction to capture every detail, ensuring these cultural records are as authentic and accessible as the originals.
Manoj envisions an essential role for community volunteers in the digitization process, especially in proofreading scanned texts and, when necessary, manually keying in content. This collaborative effort could make a significant impact, helping to refine and perfect transcriptions
Reminded of a similar initiative by the Kerala Sahitya Akademi, which once rallied public support for transcription through dedicated campaigns, he said that unfortunately that project gradually lost momentum due to funding constraints.
Manoj is also into the realm of mapping. A notable event on the horizon is a conclave in Wayanad focused on OpenStreetMap, a collaborative mapping project that aims to create a free, editable map - an alternative to platforms like Google Maps. Enthusiastic activists within this community are engaged in discussions with major stakeholders to garner support for this vital cause.
Manoj views his Sahya initiative as a facilitator in the broader mission of cultural preservation. He recognizes that many individuals hold rare collections of knowledge that must not fade into obscurity with their passing. Sahya offers a valuable service to archive these treasures for a nominal fee, ensuring that vital pieces of history are preserved and made accessible to future generations.
However, he acknowledges that to truly elevate this endeavour, there is a pressing need to scale up operations with better machines that offer superior archival quality, an undertaking that requires substantial funding. "What I am focused on now is the meticulous archiving of content to ensure its accessibility," he explains. He stresses the importance of proper sorting and curating of this age-old wisdom, emphasizing that it is not merely about preservation but also about honouring and sharing the richness of knowledge contained within these collections.
"Knowledge liberation is imperative in today’s world," Manoj asserts passionately. He emphasizes that everyone should have digital access to information, transforming it into a public agenda. For languages, especially regional ones, to thrive and evolve, significant investment in technology is crucial. By fostering a digital landscape that prioritizes inclusivity and accessibility, individuals and communities can be empowered to engage with their linguistic roots, contributing to a vibrant, interconnected future.
Manoj aspires to breathe life into words, imbuing them with meaning and making them publicly accessible. His vision is to empower individuals with knowledge, ensuring that the richness of language, a living entity, endures and thrives.