S Naved Qaisar Shah / Rampur

On the auspicious occasion of Ram Navami, Rampur Raza Library started a rare exhibition of ancient Ramayana Manuscripts.

Aun Kumar Saxena, Chief Conservator-in-charge of Rampur Raza Library's Conservation Laboratory, inaugurated the exhibition at the Durbar Hall.

Expressing his views on this occasion, the Chief Conservator-in-charge said “It is surprising that there are hundreds of rare copies of Ramayana in this famous library for Arabic-Persian literature and this is a rare treasure that scholars can be benefited from. I hope for a good future for them.”

He added that research scholars need to be attracted to the unique features of this ancient heritage library because if these important manuscripts get explored then, many important things would be revealed and more inspiring facts might come in limelight.He also appreciated the services of the library staff and workers.

The most important manuscript in the exhibition is Farrukh Siyar's period Ramayana, he got it translated from Sanskrit to Persian by Sumair Chand. It contains 258 unframed images.

This Rare Ramayana has been started with Bismillah. Reza library has published the Hindi translation of this version in three volumes.

During the exhibition, Dr Preeti Agarwal, Cataloguer of Sanskrit Manuscripts introduced the important manuscripts to the visitors.

Under the guidance of Dr Pushkar Mishra, the director of Raza Library, this exclusive exhibition will be displaying Ramayana Masihi, Guru Narayan's Ramayan, Arya Sangeet Ramayana, Faraqi Daryabadi's Ramayana in Persian, Maharishi Shivbiratlal's Ruhani Ramayana, Sudarshan's Ramayana for Children, certain scenes of Maulvi Abdul Sattar's Ramayana, Manzoom Ramayana by Mullla Masihi Panipati, and Adhyatam Ramayana,

Apart from these manuscripts mentioned above, some of the paintings of Sumair Chand's Persian Ramayana have also been installed which are worth seeing.

Along with all rare manuscripts and paintings, various  images of  Shri Ramchandra are being displayed in this exhibition.

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On this occasion, Dr Irshad Nadwi, Sanam Ali Khan, Dr. Tabassum Sabir, Shabana Afsar Shazia Hasan, Rajesh, Sanobar Shah Khan, Shahamat Ali Khan and Other nobles and dignitaries were present to glorify the event.

The exhibition will continue till April 30, 2024 between 10:30 AM to 4:30 PM.

(S Naved Qaisar Shah is a Cataloguer/Researcher in Rampur Raza library)