Collector C Vijayaraj Kumar has exhorted the younger generation to explore ways and utilise the ancient science of architecture to present day application and requirement.

Inaugurating the three-day seminar on ‘Text, Practice and Aesthetics: Exploring the Manuscript Traditions of Indian Culture’ organised by the National Mission for Manuscripts, Union Ministry of Culture, in association with Thanjavur Saraswathi Mahal Library and International Institute of Saiva Siddhanta Research, Dharmapuram Adheenam, here on Thursday, the Collector said,

‘‘We have to learn a lot from the past and should pass on the great knowledge of the ancient science of architecture blended with the modern technology to our future generation.’’ The culture and art forms of yesteryear have uniqueness and they remain unparalleled even after several hundred years.

As for the modern science and architecture, they are nothing but a collection of traditional knowledge, the collector said. Only the material has now changed in the modern architecture, he added.

He called on the students to have an open mind so as to imbibe the architectural technology of the past. ‘‘Unless we have an open mind, we can not learn anything from the past,’’ he said.

The temples constructed in the olden days stand not as temples of worship but as temples of arts and science, he remarked.

Stating that the ancient science of architecture is still relevant and has withstood the passage of time, he appealed to instil interest in the minds of younger generation to learn from the ancient science of architecture. ‘‘It is also our duty to preserve and pass on the knowledge to the future generation,’’ he added.

Earlier, former Director of Archaeology Dr R Nagasamy, in his welcome address, appealed that the traditional arts and architecture be included in the curriculum of schools and colleges. Inaugurating the exhibition,

Srimad Dr Kumarasamy Tambiran Swamigal of Mauna Madam said it was the temples which preserved and retained the ancient art forms. ‘‘It is no gainsaying that arts have nourished the culture and civilization,’’ he added.

He pointed out that manuscripts were instrumental in flourishing ‘Saivism’ and that the adheenams were taking various steps to preserve the manuscripts.

He said that Dharumapuram Adheenam had donated innumerable palm-manuscripts to Thanjavur Saraswathi Mahal Library and the remaining were kept safe at Thiruvavaduthurai Adheenam and regular poojas were being performed for the manuscripts everyday.

Regretting that the form of writing on manuscripts has vanished, he pointed out that the Maha Sannidhanam was still in the habit of signing on the palm manuscripts on the day of ‘Panguni Uthram’ every year in order to preserve the traditional practice of writing on manuscripts.

Thanjavur Maharaja Serfoji’s Saraswathi Mahal Library Administrative Officer Sami Sivagnanam proposed the vote of thanks.

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