Written Artefacts of Nepal – Preservation and Documentation

‘Written Artefacts of Nepal – Preservation and Documentation’, a series of short films, offers a brief and accessible introduction to Nepalese written artefacts, exploring their diversity and uniqueness in terms of writing, supports, materials, forms, and texts. All episodes are available in Nepalese with English subtitles. Non-English terms are transliterated as faithfully as possible and presented as they appear in the original document, so that their original spelling can be appreciated. The series is initiated and produced by Bidur Bhattarai, Coordinator of the project ‘Preserving the Written Cultural Heritage of Nepal’.

Preserving the Written Artefacts of the Tribhuvan University Central Library in Kirtipur

Episode 1

Giving an overview of preservation work carried out at the Tribhuvan University Central Library.

A Brief Introduction to a Nepalese Rolled Palm-leaf Document

Episode 2

Introducing an 18th-century rolled palm-leaf document with a raw clay seal.

A Brief Introduction to a Nepalese Buddhist 'nīlapatra' Manuscript

Episode 3

Introducing a 19th-century Buddhist manuscript written on nīlapatra (‘black paper’).

Preserving the Written Artefacts of the Āśā Saphūkuthi (Āśā Archives) in Kathmandu

Episode 4

On cleaning, wrapping, phase box (archival box) making, and archiving manuscripts

Traditional Techniques of Protecting Clay Seals in Nepalese Rolled Palm-Leaf Documents

Episode 5

Showing traditional techniques to protect raw clay seals in palm-leaf documents

A Nepalese Buddhist Tantric Mini-Manuscript

Episode 6

Presenting a Nepalese mini-manuscript that contains multiple texts relating to Buddhist tantrism

A Nepalese Buddhist Manuscript from Lhasa

Episode 7

About a Nepalese Buddhist manuscript bearing witness to the cultural connection to Tibet

Preservation of a Buddhist Nīlapatra Aṣṭasāhasrikā Prajñāpāramitā Manuscript

Episode 8

On a Nepalese Buddhist manuscript written on black paper with ‘gold-like’ ink.

Snakeskin in Manuscripts: For Protection or Other Reasons?

Episode 9

This video shows two manuscripts from the 18th century that were produced with snakeskin.

Preserving the Manuscript Collection at the Central Department of Nepalbhasa at Tribhuvan University

Episode 10

On preservation measures on manuscripts from the 17th and 20th centuries.

How to Clean Manuscripts

Episode 11

In this film, Bidur Bhattarai presents how cleaning measures can be carried out for manuscripts and artefacts.

How to Wrap Manuscripts in Lokta Paper

Episode 12

This video shows how manuscripts are traditionally wrapped in lokta paper.

How to Wrap Manuscripts in Cotton Cloth

Episode 13

This video shows how manuscripts are traditionally wrapped in an unbleached muslin cover.

A Large Kundalini Yogapurusa Manuscript from Nepal and its Preservation

Episode 14

Presenting a unique manuscript in the form of a vertical accordion from the 19th century.

Preserving the Manuscript Collection of the Bhatta Family

Episode 15

In the final episode of his video series, Bidur Bhattarai introduces the manuscript collection of the Bhatta family at Changu Narayan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.