EARLY TIMES REPORT
JAMMU, Apr 23: The imposing Kala Kendra here came to life today with an outstanding exhibition of old and rare books and manuscripts dating as back as 17th century AD.
Visitors including writers, scholars, university teachers and school and college students came in large numbers to view specimen of the centuries old hand written and printed material. Organized by the Department of Libraries & Research as part of the observance of World Book Day in collaboration with the Department of Archives, Archaeology & Museums, the exhibition was inaugurated by the Minister for Tourism & Culture, Nawang Rigzin Jora. Minister of State for Tourism, Culture, Housing & Urban Development, Nasir Aslam Wani, Director Libraries, Archives and Archaeology, Khalid Bashir Ahmad and Deputy Directors Libraries and Archives & Archaeology, Rajinder Singh and Peerzada Mohammad Ashraf were also present. In all, 138 old and rare books in English, Hindi, and Urdu languages, 30 manuscripts in Devnagri, Persian, Sharda, Arabic, Gurmukhi and Bodhi languages and 6 atypical photo albums were on display. Some of the important books that evinced interest of the visitors included Adi Granth (1887), Shah Nama Firdousi (1874), Aayeen-e-Akbari (1274 H), Gulab Nama (1932), Bustan-e-Hikmat (1874), Makhzanul Advia (1882), Tareekh-e- Rajgaan-e- Jammu-wa-Kashmir (1886), Naya Purana Ehad Nama (New and Old Testament) (1824), Wall Street to Cashmere ( (1859),Columbus & Columbia (1892), The Gems of the East (1904), Letters & Journals of Lord Byron (18920, India in 1880 (1881)World Famous Paintings (1938), India in 1928-29 (1930), First Gazette in J&K State ( 1889), Ram Charitmanas (1909), Shree Bhavishath Mahapuran, Kalhana's Rajatarangini in Sanskrit (1892), Indrajaal (1880), Birjbilas (1880), Mahabaharat (1916), English and Sanskrit Dictionary (1851), and Rasool, Lahore and Iqbal Numbers of Naqoosh, Lahore. In the category of manuscripts, the 17th century Shahnama Firdousi, Ramayana in Persian language (1162 H), Punjganj Nizami with 25 rare paintings decorated with gold and precious stone colours (977 H), Shri Mahabhagwat Gita (Devnagri), Sukanda Puran (16th century AD), Gur Mahima in Gurmukhi, Silsalat ul Al Azhab, famous Mathnavi of Maulana Jaami (1270 H), Mahabharta in Sharda script, Sikander Nama, illustrated with 25 paintings (16th century) and Budhist religious scriptures in Bodhi languages were the objects of special attraction. Speaking on the occasion, the Minister for Tourism & Culture said that there was nothing like reading a good book. He said books enrich readers mentally, spiritually and socially and spoke of the efforts of the government to popularize the culture of book reading.
The Minister welcomed the holding of the exhibition of rare books and manuscripts as an apt step to commemorate the World Book day and said such events provided an opportunity to showcase our rich heritage.
|
