Olai Chuvadi is the ancient art of writing on palm leaves using handcrafted scribing tools. While the art form is scarce today, many of these engraved scripts are guarded in personal collections, spiritual locations, and display cases at museums.
As a child, I had seen these palm leaf manuscripts amongst astrologers’ collections, where they would carefully flip over every leaf of the manuscript to share their knowledge of one’s past, present, and future.
I also remember seeing them behind glass at museums, peering at the browned edges and dark script, wondering how they would feel under my fingertips.
And now, I take my little ones to see what I once saw, and on rare occasions, I’m able to show bundles of Olai Chuvadi to them in person, from simple yet, meaningful donations to our studio by people that can no longer care for these delicate pieces.
Olai Chuvadi – History and Significance
Olai Chuvadi, or palm leaf manuscripts, are ancient manuscripts written on specially treated palm leaves for documentation and record keeping in South India. The word “Olai” translates to palm leaf, and “Chuvadi” translates to writing in the Tamil language.
A bundle of Olai Chuvadi manuscripts
The art of Olai Chuvadi can be traced back to the early years when the Tamil script was still new and developing. Palm leaves were in plenty and soon became one of the most well-used writing materials in the region. Skilled scribes would scribe religious scripts, astrological predictions, calendars, historical events, medical information, and even trade and commerce records on well-prepared palm leaves for preservation.
Some scribes handcrafted Olai Chuvadi manuscripts with elaborate designs, colourful illustrations and intricate patterns. These scripts had higher aesthetic and artistic value owing to their exceptional work and are still highly valued.
The Making of Bamboo and Iron Ezhuthanis
The word “Ezhuthani” means scribing or writing in the Tamil language. These ancient tools were made by skilled craftsmen using a variety of materials, from bamboo to iron. Select pieces of bamboo, tamarind wood, or palm leaf ends from making Olai Chuvadi were used based on their strength, flexibility and overall durability. The material would be crafted down into a cylindrical shape to provide adequate grip, and one end would be tapered to a sharp point to allow for scribing. The tool would then be smoothened along the grip, and a coat of oil or wax would be rubbed over the surface to protect it from damage.
Ezhuthani used for scribing Olai Chuvadi with palm leaf cutter on one end and scribing tool on the other (dulled over the decades)
Ezhuthanis were also crafted using beaten pieces of metal or wax-cast forms, iron being the most popular of the raw materials used. These tools would also be prepared with a palm leaf cutter on one end and a scribing tool for Olai Chuvadi on the other.
In addition to the exceptional, durable craftsmanship, artists would also carve out or etch elaborate illustrations along the grip of the ezhuthanis, turning them into beautiful works of art.
Olai Chuvadi – Preparation and Scribing
Scribing over the palm leaves is an elaborate and labour-intensive process, but the preparation is done with just as much care to ensure the leaves are sturdy beneath the scribing tool and last for many decades to come.
Iron Palm Leaf Cutter used to prepare palm leaves for Olai Chuvadi
Artisans first select leaves from the trees and dry them flat in direct sunlight. Then, they cut each leaf into the desired size and shape using a special curved-tip knife for further processing. Next, the leaves were treated in a mixture of turmeric and lime to make them durable and resistant to insect damage. Finally, the edges are trimmed, and holes are made in the corner to allow for binding once the scribing was complete.
These palm-leaf manuscripts were carefully stored in traditional wooden boxes and kept in cool and dry places to prevent them from moisture and insect damage. Some manuscripts were also treated with neem oil to ward off insects and preserve the Olai Chuvadi.
Olai Chuvadi – The Loss Of A Craft
Extensive progress and development have made Olai Chuvadi manuscripts a thing of the past. Still, curators, researchers, historians, and a few craftsmen are consciously trying to keep the art alive.
A few traditional schools and centres located in remote villages teach the art of Olai Chuvadi / palm leaf manuscript writing. They are often run by a few remaining master craftsmen that aim to pass on the knowledge to future generations.
Scholars and historians are also working on digitising the manuscripts found in libraries and museums to make them more accessible worldwide.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Olai Chuvadi?
Olai Chuvadi, or palm leaf manuscripts, are ancient manuscripts written on specially treated palm leaves for documentation and record keeping in South India. The word “Olai” translates to palm leaf, and “Chuvadi” translates to writing in the Tamil language.
How To Make Olai Chuvadi?
Artisans first select leaves from the trees and dry them flat in direct sunlight. Then, they cut each leaf into the desired size and shape using a special curved-tip knife for further processing. Next, the leaves were treated in a mixture of turmeric and lime to make them durable and resistant to insect damage. Finally, the edges are trimmed, and holes are made in the corner to allow for binding once the scribing was complete.
What is Olai Chuvadi Called In English?
Olai Chuvadi are palm leaf manuscripts that are often found in South India.
How To Preserve Olai Chuvadi?
These palm-leaf manuscripts were carefully stored in traditional wooden boxes and kept in cool and dry places to prevent them from moisture and insect damage. Some manuscripts were also treated with neem oil to ward off insects and preserve the Olai Chuvadi.
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