GNANA MUYARCHI
Tamil Palm Leaf Manuscript
found in
Armenian Monastery, San Lazaro
VENICE – ITALY - EUROPE
@ 29 July 2023
by
TAMIL BHARATHAN T K
Research Scholar
Special Centre for Tamil Studies
Jawaharlal Nehru University
New Delhi – 110067
INDIA
TAMIL Palm Manuscript DISCOVERY in ITALY
On July 29, 2023, Tamil Bharathan T K made a significant Tamil Palm manuscript discovery at the Armenian Monastery Mechitarist in San Lazaro, Venice, Italy. The discovery unveiled a manuscript titled “Gnana Muyarchi,” authored by Gnanaprakasa Swami in the 18th century. This text, written entirely in Tamil Language, originates from Aavur, Pudukottai, Tamil Nadu, India. Comprising over 170 Palm Manuscript Leaves inscribed on both sides, this find enriches our understanding of Tamil historical and cultural heritage, offering insights into the wisdom of bygone eras. Additionally, it highlights the historical connection between Armenians and Tamils with the Roman trade.
More details: https://ddinews.gov.in/international/18th-century-tamil-manuscripts-discovered-italy & https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/tamil-manuscripts-from-18th-century-found-in-armenian-monastery-in-northern-italy/article67162471.ece
On August 8, 2023, He had the honor of meeting the Honorable Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Mr. M.K. STALIN. He formally presented the detailed report concerning the discovery of Tamil manuscripts in Italy.
The Tamil Manuscripts discovered in Italy
Tamil Manuscripts Discovery in Italy
He was invited to the Hellenic Institute of Byzantine & Post byzantine Studies in Venice, Italy for a summer seminar on Greek Paleography. He stayed there for 24 days over there. French professor Dr. Margherita Trento, who was introduced to her by Prof. Annamalai, a visiting Tamil professor at the University of Chicago, informed him about the manuscripts.
The information that the Armenian library operating on the island of San Lazaro near Venice contained manuscripts, but that they had not been indexed, seemed to be of great importance. First, He casually traveled to the island and looked for the footprints. They were named Lamulic language in the area where the rare books are located. It said to them it was a Tamil Manuscript and He asked the librarian to allow him to read it, sadly permission was denied.
He went directly for a week and kept requesting them again and again. Finally, the administration gave me the permission. On July 29, 2023, He Discovered the Tamil Manuscripts on San Lazaro Island in Venice, Italy. With the permission of the Armenian librarians, He examined each palm leaf and digitally copied and documented it.
It is worth noting that the Tamil Manuscripts discovered in Italy in Europe are considered historically significant and many UPSC exam preparations centers have included them in their question bank. India's leading English dailies such as The Hindu, Times of India, Hindustan Times etc. have published detailed reports on this.
About the Tamil Manuscripts
• It was mentioned as INDIAN PAPYRUS LAMULIC LANGUAGE INDIAN PAPYRUS LAMULIC LANGUAGE – XIII CEN.
• The management there did not even know that the language of the manuscript was Tamil Language. They have so far considered it as 'Lamulic language'. It could also be their pronunciation of 'Lamulik=Tamil'.
• There are approximately 170 Manuscripts. Often written on both sides.
• Tiruchirappalli, Pudukottai, Kanchipuram names were mentioned.
• Tamil Manuscript is entirely written in Prose Tamil.
• Through the reference manuscript it is revealed that the manuscript named Gnana Muyarchi is written by Gnanaprakasa Swami.
• The above data is historically known to be an 18th century and written near Aavur in Pudukottai district in the 1720s.
Tamil – Armenian Relations
Armenian priest HAMAZASP was present while documenting the Tamil manuscripts. He said that there were many Armenians in the then Madras province and these traces may have come here when they came to Venice for business.
Presently, Armenian Street (known as Aranmanaikara Street) is located at Chennai opposite to Madras High Court. First Armenian Journal were Printed in Armenian Street Monastery in Chennai. There are Tamil – Armenia Connections were existed in old time. So, the discovered Tamil manuscripts from the Armenian Monastery in Venice becomes a priority for the Tamil-Armenian historical relationship.
Thiruvalluvar Statue presented to
the Armenian Fr. HAMAZASP
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