People
Man With A Mission: Capturing The Past
by PARUL
Davinderpal Singh is a man on a mission.
He has been working relentlessly to conserve the heritage of Punjab by way of preserving and digitising manuscripts, books, official records, newspapers, miniatures, murals, periodicals, paintings, pictures and architecture at the Panjab Digital Library (PDL).
After eight years of hard work, Davinderpal has finally digitized six million pages, making PDL the largest repository of manuscripts. With one camera and a computer, and virtually no funds, it was his love for Punjab's rich heritage and culture, and also the fear that it will all be lost in the future, that made him start PDL.
Another reason was the destruction of many libraries, in state-sponsored pogroms, floods and fires in the past, says Davinderpal Singh, that made him sit up and realize the valuable role of preservation in today's time.
"We must ensure that we don't lose the treasure we have in the form of books and manuscripts. We owe it to our future generations," he says. Starting with important manuscripts, books and catalogues of the Punjab Language Department and the Chandigarh Museum and Art Gallery, he has developed 13 computer applications for the painstaking digitizing process, which has several backups.
With a target of digitising 27 million pages, he now has a team in place. The PDL is not limiting its work in Punjab, but also taking up projects in Haryana, J&K and Pakistan. "We mount a digital camera on the manuscript and then transfer these files in JPEG format, ensuring that nothing is lost in the process. Technology has made our endeavour easier," says Davinderpal, who has now launched the digital online library, for those who have an interest in reading rare documents.
It was by visiting villages, prominent families and social and religious centres, that he got some rare documents to digitize. For shortlisting villages, he personally visited homes to get across to people and explain the concept to them.
"Our list includes the first newspaper from Punjab - the Khalsa Akhbar, Lahore in Gurmukhi script, a book on the map of Hindustan (1782) and six volumes written by Guru Gobind Singh from Anandpur Sahib from a family of his descendants," says Davinderpal, who adds that personal libraries, letters and diaries of people are a treasuretrove of information.
More than 200 years old and a work of art which Singh has recently digitized, is the Quran Sharif in calligraphy.
The text is written in such a way that an image is formed, with each page (150 in all) bearing varied borders.
The collection also includes a rare manuscript of Guru Granth Sahib in Urdu, apart from some from Benaras and letters that open the pages of history.
Davinderpal Singh feels that the process will give a new lease of life to the documents, which are on brittle paper and may be lost in time.
"We are making sure that the colours are intact and we can capture the texture of the paper," he says. He adds that the miniature paintings on Krishna, which are more than 200 years old, are now part of the library. Photographs of all historical places from Peshawar to Himachal captured by Bhai Dhanna Singh on a bicycle in the early '30s, are also a part of this prized collection.
The ever expanding online library and funding for the project is being provided by individual donors, with the PDL working closely with intellectuals, library colleagues and museum professionals to identify and deliver digital content which will support current research and encourage new investigations.
"We hope people will pitch in with their skills, help us locate manuscripts, adopt a book for digitization and sponsor a project, so that we can empower our future generations," says Davinderpal Singh.
[Courtesy: Indian Express. Edited for sikhchic.com]
December 2, 2011
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Conversation about this article
1: Gurmeet Kaur (Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A.), December 02, 2011, 12:15 PM.
This man is an army. I wish the best for his mission. I hope the universities in Punjab will support his work. Here is the website if you wish to learn more: http://www.panjabdigilib.org
2: Sandeep Singh Brar (Canada), December 02, 2011, 2:13 PM.
The work of interpretation and analysis leading to the creation of online exhibits at SikhMuseum.com is absolutely dependent on this kind of in-the-field first-hand digitization of our priceless heritage in Punjab. If anybody should be receieving that 'Panth Rattan' award from the Akal Takht, it should be Davinderpal Singh.
3: Sangat Singh (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia), December 02, 2011, 2:22 PM.
Nature renews itself. Another Bhai Kahn Singh is reborn. This time with camera and a computer. An incomparable, peerless man with a vengeance - an institution unto himself. Also think of Akali Kaur Singh who spent nearly 30 years to produce the first ever 'Gur Shabad Ratan Prakash' which eventually gave birth to the Shabad Explorer and other aids that now make it possible to find any 'tuk' or shabad in a jiffy. Davinderpal Singh ji: you shall be ever remembered for your relentless effort to preserve the heritage.
4: Deepika (Jalandhar, Punjab), December 02, 2011, 7:58 PM.
I am so happy about this digitalization because now it has become easy for me to learn more about Sikhism. People who come from far away places don't have so much of time to stay over there, specially whose both mother and father are in private jobs. But now everything has been sought out. S. Davinderpal Singh ji, from the bottom of my heart, I thank you for such painful efforts taken by you.
5: Paramjit Singh Khanijou (Pattaya,Thailand), December 02, 2011, 9:26 PM.
OMG! What an incredible treasure trove of our culture and history, preserved for posterity. The generations next will be forever indebted to you, Davinderpal ji. Thank you!
6: Parminder Singh (Chandigarh, Punjab), December 02, 2011, 11:54 PM.
I can only say that the time, efforts and pain put in by a small but strong army of Davinderpal Singh and his team will definitely bear fruit for the present and future generations.
7: Harpreet Singh (Delhi, India), December 05, 2011, 6:29 AM.
It is really so refreshing to know that some of us somewhere, even without much support from the community or institutions, are doing great service for Sikhi and all of humanity. I think governmental and non-governmental agencies the world over should support such work and reward such persons. We must make sure he and his work gets proper recognition and honour worldwide. I also nominate him for the Chic Sikh of the Year.
8: Bibek Singh (Jersey City, New Jersey, U.S.A.), December 05, 2011, 2:08 PM.
I recently went to the 'Asian Society Museum' in New York. There is a mini-library cum shop near its main entrance. I think they have almost all types of books about Asia including a book on Buddha, Rabindra Nath Tagore, Jhansi ki Rani, Ashoka, Chinese personalities and even one on Sonia Gandhi. However, what pained me was that there was not even a single book on Sikhs (except a chapter having a passing reference to Maharaja Ranjit Singh in one of the books on Indian Kings). Initiatives like the Punjab Digital Library will not only preserve our rich heritage but will also extend its reach beyond borders. It is set to become part of a Global e-library that will certainly play a crucial role in spreading awareness about Sikhi. Kudos to the unabated efforts of people like Davinderpal Singh ji!
9: Davinder Pal Singh (Chandigarh, Punjab), December 06, 2011, 2:47 AM.
I am humbled by your comments! Thank you so much for your interest in the preservation of Punjab's heritage. At this moment I must clarify that the success of the Punjab Digital Library is because of the efforts of a team, which includes donors, supporters, PDL's Board of Directors, advisors, staff, volunteers and well wishers. I am thankful to all for their continued support towards digital preservation of our heritage. Continuous support from the community will help us save much, much more.
10: Kanwal Prakash Singh (Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.A.), December 06, 2011, 7:10 AM.
The cultural heritage of a people is the window to the soul of a community; it is its life, living testimony, and foundation that reflects its heart and spirit. The visual, cultural and spiritual heritage enshrines the priceless jewels and adornments that define the edifice of a faith, culture and people. This is a sacred treasure and trust for generations that follow and of humanity. Being a testament of something so sacred and irreplaceable, its preservation and safe-keeping is a community responsibility and a worthy undertaking. This hidden or otherwise inaccessible treasure is our connection to the amazing past and its relevance to our future as a human family; it is a tapestry of humanity's cultures, a valuable glimpse to the life, times, arts, and events that shape our spirit and give meaning to our lives. Humanity has already lost much of its sacred treasures to neglect, unconscionable outrage, wanton destruction, cultural and religious bigotry, and reckless plunder by invaders and those ignorant of its true value. Microfilm, digital space-age technology, advancements in recording, storage, and preservation techniques today make it possible to safeguard the heritage of the past and document it for all the world to see, learn, and understand about once unfamiliar cultures and communities and their journeys which are also part of the story of our civilization. This is no small task; we are at the very beginning of our discovery of iconic artifacts and treasures that have survived the ravages of time, events, and neglect of the past. Dedicated souls like Davinderpal Singh and his team, and many others such efforts, give us reason to be optimistic and pray that this seva will continue with much more vigor and greater urgency going forward. We salute all the men and women engaged in this mission and extend our prayers as they tirelessly undertake this seva of "capturing the past" and adding new extraordinary elements to the human universe. Today we are witnessing the changing frontiers and eager to know the winds of culture flowing across their cultural and spiritual landscapes. These treasures should be housed in the U.S. Library of Congress and other digital libraries around the world for the scholars and students to benefit and explore the soul of a community and region that has been a gateway to civilizations, and a culture that reflects many influences. Davinderpal Singh, his team, and the sponsors of their monumentally significant project give us reason to be hopeful before it is too late. Our prayers and robust salutations to them for their vision, wisdom and sacred mission. Oher rewards and blessings will inevitably follow.