[INDOLOGY] Manuscript in Varanasi

[Jean Michel DELIRE]

Happy that I finally decided not to go to Varanasi, with reference to the
numerous difficulties encountered there by many researchers.
Do we know since when the library is closed ?

Jean Michel

Le lun. 23 févr. 2026 à 18:59, Elliot Stern <emstern1948 at gmail.com> a
écrit :

> Please note that the results in a Google search report that Sarasvati
> Bhavan Library is temporarily closed. See attached screen shot.
>
> [image: Google - Sarasvati Bhavan Library closed.jpg]
> Best wishes,
>
> Elliot
>
> On Feb 16, 2026, at 9:10 AM, Jean Michel DELIRE via INDOLOGY <
> indology at list.indology.info> wrote:
>
> Thanks, Dominik, for this interesting document,
>
> And thanks to all the other friends who took up their pen to advise me.
> Their answers range from going to the IGNCA with a USB flash drive to going
> to Banaras with the pilgrim's faith, which is literally making a journey of
> several thousand kms, staying there several days or weeks, while knowing it
> would be completely useless. Actually, nobody in Banaras answers my
> messages.
> About that, Dominik's recommendations are also to be pointed, especially
> the following :
> "1. In the first instance, I recommend that an information sheet should be
> prepared. This should be sent as part of a standard reply to all scholars
> who enquire at the IGNCA about manuscripts. The information sheet should
> state clearly that the participant libraries have retained the copyright of
> the films deposited in the IGNCA collection, and that scholars need to get
> written copyright permission from the individual libraries. *The
> information sheet will include an up-to-date list of all the participant
> libraries together with their current names, addresses, phone and FAX
> numbers*. The dissemination of this document will be an important aid to
> the scholars in contacting these institutions, which are located all over
> the world. It will be important to review this document periodically and
> keep it accurate and up-to-date."
> I have received an answer from the IGNCA with a list of the Banaras
> manuscripts of which they have copies - which gave me hope - but my
> specific questions about the addresses to which I should ask permission in
> Banaras never received any answer from the IGNCA. Dominik's request for an
> "up-to-date list of all the participant libraries together with their
> current names, addresses, phone and FAX numbers" seems thus to be a pious
> wish. *My guess is that even the IGNCA doesn't have such a list and, so,
> is unable to help the scholars to ask for the permission they are
> requesting*.
> That is why I asked for help and, believe me, I sent messages to all the
> addresses you gave me, with a very low rate of answers, unhappily. Even at
> the IGNCA, for which you gave me two addresses, one only was useful, and
> only up to a certain point of weariness, probably.
> Now, I will be in Delhi in a week, and I really would like to meet
> somebody responsible there. Mrs Chakarabarthy seems reactive, but I still
> don't know where to meet her. Can someone with recent experience advise me ?
>
> Best regards,
>
> Jean Michel Delire
>
>
>
>
> Le sam. 14 févr. 2026 à 19:43, Dominik Wujastyk <wujastyk at gmail.com> a
> écrit :
>
>> In 1997, Dr Kapila Vatsyayan invited me to spend a month as a UNESCO
>> consultant to the IGNCA.   I attach to this email pages 5-6 and 20-22 of my
>> final report that specifically addressed the issue of copyright and making
>> copies of MSS for scholars.
>>
>> Best,
>> Dominik
>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> Dominik Wujastyk, Professor Emeritus, Classical Indian History
>> University of Alberta
>>
>> "The University of Alberta is committed to the pursuit of truth,
>> the advancement of learning, and the dissemination of knowledge
>> through teaching, research and other scholarly and creative activities
>> and service."
>> -- Collective Agreement
>> <https://www.ualberta.ca/human-resources-health-safety-environment/media-library/my-employment/agreements/2020-2024-collective-agreement---working-version.pdf>
>> 3.01
>>
>>
>>
>>
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>
> Elliot M. Stern
> 552 South 48th Street
> Philadelphia, PA 19143-2029
> emstern1948 at gmail.com
> 267-240-8418
>
>
>
>
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