2,040 folios of 30 Telugu Ayurveda manuscripts transcribed at Hyderabad workshop

Key points

• 2,040 folios across 30 Telugu Ayurveda manuscripts transcribed, proofread and edited during the workshop

A three-day workshop on ‘Telugu Ayurvedic Manuscripts Transcription and Editing’ concluded today at the auditorium of the National Institute of Indian Medical Heritage (NIIMH), Hyderabad. Organised from October 26 to 28, 2026, the workshop focused on developing specialised skills for deciphering, transcribing, analysing and critically editing ancient medical knowledge preserved in historical Telugu palm-leaf and paper manuscripts.

The workshop was organised under the guidance of Padmashree Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, and Dr Koustubha Upadhaya, Advisor (Ayu), Ministry of Ayush. It was conducted under the aegis of the Centre of Excellence in Medico-Historical Studies and Indian Medical Heritage, functioning under the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS)–National Institute of Indian Medical Heritage (NIIMH), Hyderabad, Ministry of Ayush.

Designed as an initiative for capacity building and human resource development, the workshop aimed to equip researchers and scholars with specialised skills required for the systematic study and preservation of India's medical heritage.

During the inaugural session, Prof. (Vaidya) Rabinarayan Acharya, Director General, CCRAS, underscored the importance of such workshops and outlined the Council's ongoing research initiatives and projects dedicated to preserving Indian medical heritage. Dr N. Srikanth, Deputy Director General, CCRAS, emphasised the need to uncover and bring to light the immense therapeutic wisdom preserved in ancient medical palm-leaf texts.

Dr G.P. Prasad, Assistant Director In-charge, CCRAS-NIIMH, outlined the core objectives of the workshop and presented the strategic roadmap for manuscript transcription. The inaugural function was attended by distinguished scholars, including Dr B. Ramarao, Former Director, National Ayurveda Research Institute for Panchakarma (NARIP), and Uttama Vaidya Pammi Satyanarayana Sastry, who participated as Guests of Honour.

The three-day programme featured intensive hands-on practical training and expert technical sessions conducted by distinguished scholars, including Shri Narasimha, Conservator, Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Library, Tirupati; Shri P.V.S. Kumar, Indic Manuscriptology Expert; and Uttama Vaidya Pammi Satyanarayana Sastry, Manuscriptology and Literary Expert.

Over 37 delegates, faculty members and postgraduate scholars participated in the practical sessions. The participants represented premier institutions, including S.V. Ayurvedic College, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh; Rajarajeshwari Ayurveda Medical College, Humnabad, Bidar, Karnataka; and Basavaraj Patil Ayurveda College, Bidar, alongside research scholars and officers from CCRAS.

The workshop concluded with a valedictory session on the afternoon of October 28, 2026. Over the three days, participants gained extensive knowledge of palaeography, including manuscript deciphering, transliteration, editing, proofreading, text-critical analysis and script variants.

Under the expert guidance of renowned scholars, the workshop achieved a significant milestone with the completion of transcription, primary proofreading and editing of 2,040 folios across 30 Telugu Ayurveda manuscripts, contributing to efforts to preserve and systematically document India's traditional medical knowledge.

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This report is based on the official release by the AYUSH, issued through the Press Information Bureau, Government of India (28 OCT 2026 8:51PM by PIB Delhi). Read the original: Three-Day Workshop on Telugu Ayurvedic Manuscripts Transcription and Editing Concludes at CCRAS-NIIMH, Hyderabad.