The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Preserve Saraswathi Mahal Library: Pawar

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Apr 14, 2007
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Preserve Saraswathi Mahal Library: Pawar

G. Srinivasan

LEAFING THROUGH: Sharad Pawar, Union Minister for Agriculture (left), at Saraswathi Mahal Library in Thanjavur on Friday. — Photo: M. Srinath

Thanjavur: The Saraswathi Mahal Library here is a treasure trove and should be maintained properly, Union Minister for Agriculture Sharad Pawar said on Friday.

"Hats off to Maratha king Serfoji II, who preserved and protected the library. It represents our rich heritage and history of Indian culture," Mr. Pawar told reporters after visiting the library. The Union Ministry of Culture should take steps to improve the library further and for its maintenance.

In the visitor's book, Mr. Pawar wrote, "Whenever I come to Thanjavur, I visit the treasure of knowledge. My regards to respected Serfoji."

He saw the rare manuscripts and exhibits in the library.

TTD offer

Collector C. Vijayaraj Kumar, who is the director of the library, explained about its activities to Mr. Pawar. He said the Tirumala Tirupathi Devasthanam had come forward to digitise the manuscripts and valuable books free of cost. The Tamil Nadu Government had approved the proposal. A Memorandum of Understanding would be signed with Devasthanam officials.

Mr. Pawar also visited the Art Gallery.

Earlier, Mr. Pawar and his wife called on the royal family of Thanjavur. They visited the palace of Sri Babaji Rajah Bhonsle, senior prince, and Shivaji Rajah Bhonsle, junior prince.

Gifts presented

Babaji Rajah Bhonsle presented portraits of Saint composer Sri Thyagaraja, Sri Shyama Sastrigal and Muthuswamy Dikshithar to Mr. Pawar. Shivaji Rajah Bhonsle presented him with Thanjavur art plates.

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