Mysuru: The Oriental Research Institute (ORI), University of Mysore, has been selected for the prestigious annual ‘Vedapeetha’ Award instituted by the Udupi Sri Bhandarkeri Mutt.

The Mutt has been annually honouring a distinguished institution (selected at the national level) that significantly contributes to the preservation, nurturing and development of Indian knowledge, Vedic sciences, culture and traditions with ‘Vedapeetha’ Award. In this regard, a high-level committee of experts has announced the award for Oriental Research Institute, Mysuru.

Sri Vidyeshateertha Swamiji, the head of Udupi Sri Bhandarkeri Mutt, stated that the ‘Vedapeetha’ Award includes a cash prize of Rs. 1  lakh, a citation and a memento.

The Swamiji also informed that the award will be presented on May 9 at the Rashtraguru Sri Vedavyasa Jayanti, the 82nd session of the Akhila Bharata Madhwa Rajya Sabha and the 25th Aradhanotsava of Sri Vidyamanya Teertha, jointly organised by Sri Mutt, Sri Madhwa Radhanta Samvardhaka Sabha, Sri Bhagavatashrama Pratishthana and Lokasamskriti Kala Vidya Vikasa Pratishthana at K.K. Venugopal Sabha Bhavan in Belagavi.

A pride and honour to ORI

Dr. D.P. Madhusudhanacharya, Director, Oriental Research Institute (ORI), stated that the Institute, established in 1891 by the Maharaja of Mysore, 10th Chamarajendra Wadiyar, has been tirelessly working towards the collection, preservation, research, editing and publication of ancient palm-leaf manuscripts in a book form. He said that it is a matter of pride and honour for the institute to receive this prestigious award.

He mentioned that ORI, a prestigious institution in India, has the distinction of publishing over 240 works in book form since 1891. It is one of the leading institutions in the country, with a collection of over 70,000 palm-leaf and paper manuscripts. He conveyed his delight at Bhandarkeri Mutt recognising this service and selecting ORI for the award.

He highlighted that ORI has the unique distinction of editing and publishing Kautilya’s Arthashastra of 4th century BCE for the first time in the world. He said that many other works like Navaratnamani Mahatmyam (a work on gemology), Tantrasara-Sangraha (a work on sculpture and architecture), Vaidya Shastra-Deepika (an Ayurveda text), Rasa-Kaumudi, Sri Tattvanidhi of Mummadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar and Saundarya Lahari (a collection of hymns) have already been published.

He also took the opportunity to wholeheartedly remember the efforts of all the scholars who have contributed to the institute since its inception, starting from Dr. R. Shama Sastry, who personally travelled to numerous villages across the country to collect manuscripts from various monasteries and individuals, researched and edited them and brought them out in book form.

Dr. D.P. Madhusudhanacharya further informed that the institute has already undertaken the preservation of original palm-leaf manuscripts and their printed books through various schemes and endowments. The digitisation of these manuscripts is progressing rapidly and efforts are underway to make them accessible to knowledge seekers worldwide soon. He concluded by stating that the prize money of Rs. 1 lakh will be appropriately utilised for the publication of ancient texts and the development of Oriental Research Institute.