Evelyn Knight "digitizeManipur" Records

Abstract

The Evelyn Knight "digitizeManipur" Records (dated 1980-2008, undated; .45 cubic feet; 1 document box) comprise magazines, programs, brochures and pamphlets, newspapers, articles, and books documenting the University of Kentucky Appalachian Center and UK Libraries participation in an international consortium efforts to fund a "digitizeManipur" project, part of the British Library's International Dunhuang Project.

Descriptive Summary

Title
Evelyn Knight "digitizeManipur" Records
Date
1980-2008, undated (inclusive)
Creator
Knight, Evelyn A.
Extent
.45 Cubic Feet
Subjects
Knight, Evelyn A.
digitizeManipur
Roy, L. Somi
Arrangement
Collection retains its original order. Where possible original folder names were retained.
Finding Aid Author
Ruth E. Bryan
Preferred Citation
2024ua052 : [identification of item], Evelyn Knight "digitizeManipur" Records, 1980-2008, undated, University of Kentucky Libraries Special Collections Research Center.
Repository
University of Kentucky

Collection Overview

Biography / History
L. Somi Roy founded "digitizeManipur" following the arson and destruction of books in the Central Library of Manipur, a state in northeast Indai, in April 2005. Many of the texts destroyed were in the native Manipuri Tibeto-Burman language and script variously transliterated as Meitei, Meytei, Meetie Mayek, or Meitei-lon. Roy proposed the digitization of the next largest collection of Manipuri manuscripts in the private collection of Oja N. Khelchandra. The digitized texts would be held by the New York Public Library. Much of the current language in Manipur is Bengali, dating from the 18th century. Following a research seminar held at the University of Kentucky ("Mapping a Mountain Path to Top-20 Scholarship") in 2006 that included Roy, other Manipuri artists and filmmakers, and UK and other American scholars, a project team from the University of Kentucky visited Manipur in April 2008. This collection of printed material was gathered by Evelyn Knight, Director of the Univertisty of Kentucky Appalachian Center and digitizeManipur project member, mainly during that 2008 trip.
Scope and Content
The Evelyn Knight "digitizeManipur" Records (dated 1980-2008, undated; .45 cubic feet; 1 document box) comprise magazines, programs, brochures and pamphlets, newspapers, articles, and books documenting the University of Kentucky Appalachian Center and UK Libraries participation in an international consortium efforts to fund a "digitizeManipur" project, part of the British Library's International Dunhuang Project. Many of the items in the collection are in the native Manipuri Tibeto-Burman language and script variously transliterated as Meitei, Meytei, Meetie Mayek, or Meitei-lon.

Restrictions on Access and Use

Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open to researchers by appointment
Use Restrictions
Property rights reside with the University of Kentucky. The University of Kentucky holds the copyright for materials created in the course of business by University of Kentucky employees. Copyright for all other materials has not been assigned to the University of Kentucky. For information about permission to reproduce or publish, please contact the Special Collections Research Center.

Contents of the Collection

Manipur Today: Khongjom Day special issue (for "Day of Mourning"), Department of Public Relations, Government of Manipur, 2008

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digitizeManipur project documents and clippings and program for UK event, "Mapping a Mountain Path to Top-20 Scholarship", 2006-2008

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"Manipur Polo" article (photocopy) by N. Tombi Raj; souvenir magazine for the National and International Tent Pegging Championships, Imphal-Manipur, 2007, undated

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"Art from India" exhibit at UK Art Museum (did not include Northeast India/Manipur), 2008

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"Public Folklore, Nation-Building, and Regional Others: Comparing Appalachian USA and North-East India," by Betsy Taylor (adjunct faculty in the Appalachian Center) (photocopied article), 2002

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"A Colloquium on International Digital Preservation and Conservation and Scholarship in Manipur: An Exploration of an International Learning Community: On the occasion of the Research Trip for DigitizeManipur" brochure and conference information, Manipur University, 2008 April 22-27

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Newspaper articles and opinion pieces about Meetei Mayek, including about computerizing the language script/symbols, undated

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Government of Manipur, Secretariat of the Education Department, order regarding reintroduction of Meitei/Meetei scripts (includes alphabet and a crosswalk of letters to another, unidentified, language) (photocopy), 1980 April 22

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Exhibit catalog, "Exhibition on Old Scriptures and Manuscripts in the Private Repository of Padmashri N. Khelchandra Singh, Uripok, Imphal, Manipur (photocopy)", 1994 July 11

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Imphal, Manipur, newspaper issue featuring photograph of Becky Ryder and Mary Molinaro from UK Libraries on front page, top and center, 2008 Aprl 24

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Souvenir program, "Silver Jubilee Celebration of People's Museum," in Collaboration with Directorate of Arts and Culture, Government of Manipur, 2006 January 20-21

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Brochure, "National Workshop on Preservation of Rare Documents (Physical, Chemical, and Digital)," National Library Kolkata, Ministry of Culture, Goverment of India, 2006 May 16-17

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Book, Chainarol (The Way of the Warrior), transcribed and rendered into modern Manipuri by Chanam Hemchandra, published by Lamyanba Publishers, Konung Lampak, 2006?

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Book, Numit Kaappa (Of Kings and a Rebel), transcribed and rendered into modern Manipuri by Chanam Hemchandra, published by Lamyanba Publishers, Konung Lampak, 2006?

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Meytei vocabulary materials and teaching aids, with translations/transliterations (including "Anand Longjam's Meitie Roman Laiyekki Longei"), 2008?

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Meytei vocabulary materials and teaching aids, without translations/transliterations, 2008?

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Tourist and general knowledge printed material about Manipur, 2008

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L. Somi Roy information folder (includes Appalachia to Southwest China filmmakers' exchange and "First Pitch: the US Manipur Baseball Project"), 2003-2007

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Special Collections Research Center - Closed

The Breckinridge Research Room will be closed starting May 11, 2026, and anticipates re-opening Fall semester 2026 in an alternate location for the duration of the King Library renovation.

Reproduction requests will still be available during the closure.

Contact SCRC with questions.

You may come across language in UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center collections and online resources that you find harmful or offensive. SCRC collects materials from different cultures and time periods to preserve and make available the historical record. These materials document the time period when they were created and the view of their creator. As a result, some may demonstrate racist and offensive views that do not reflect the values of UK Libraries.

If you find description with problematic language that you think SCRC should review, please contact us at SCRC@uky.edu.

Special Collections Research Center - Closed

The Breckinridge Research Room will be closed starting May 11, 2026, and anticipates re-opening Fall semester 2026 in an alternate location for the duration of the King Library renovation.

Reproduction requests will still be available during the closure.

Contact SCRC with questions.

Requests

No items have been requested.



Submit a request for SCRC materials.




You may come across language in UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center collections and online resources that you find harmful or offensive. SCRC collects materials from different cultures and time periods to preserve and make available the historical record. These materials document the time period when they were created and the view of their creator. As a result, some may demonstrate racist and offensive views that do not reflect the values of UK Libraries.

If you find description with problematic language that you think SCRC should review, please contact us at SCRC@uky.edu.