Page 13 - sands of time

VOL. XVI, ISSUE 3, 2020 SANDS OF TIME 13

TATA CENTRAl ARChIvEs - fOUNDATION DAY
fIRsT ANNUAl lECTURE sERIEs

Tata Central Archives (TCA) was inaugurated by
J.R.D. Tata on January 7, 1991. To commemorate Tata
Central Archives Foundation Day, an Annual Lecture
Series was organised. The aim of this Foundation Day
Annual Lecture Series was to provide a platform for
interaction, knowledge sharing and collaboration with
members from the archival fraternity.

Tata Central Archives Foundation Day First Annual
Lecture Series was held on January 31, 2020 at the
“Takshashila” classroom at the Tata Management
Training Centre, Pune. FROM THE
G. Sundar, Director, Roja Muthiah Research Library, Chennai
addressing the participants on
The theme for this year’s Foundation Day Annual
Management”. Eminent personalities from relevant of preservation of paper documents and how these
“Indigenous Methods in Paper Conservation”.
Lecture Series was “New Concepts in Archival

fields shared their insights with the participants. The are less hazardous and more beneficial as compared
COLLECTION
day long program enlightened the participants on the the chemical conventional methods available for
current trends and developments in the archiving field. Indian conditions. However, he clearly mentioned
that there is no empirical data to support that this is
The speakers included G. Sundar, Director, the Roja
Head, Extended Reality (XR) Lab, Tata Consultancy the best practice to be followed. He explained about
Muthiah Research Library, Chennai, Ashok Maharaj,
the indigenous method of preservation using specific
Services (TCS), Siruseri, Chennai and T.R. Doongaji, percentages of simple herbal household ingredients,
having anti-insecticide, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal
Honorary Advisor, Tata Central Archives. OF THE
properties like sweet flag, cinnamon, camphor,
The program black cumin, ajwain and black pepper. He further
began with a explained that though this is an excellent method of
welcome address preservation, this cocktail preparation has a life span
by R.P. Narla, of only six months. He also shared the methods of
TATA CENTRAL ARCHIVES
Archivist,
TCA,
conservation and preservation followed at the Roja
followed by an
Muthiah Research Library.
inaugural address
by S. Girikumar, The second speaker, Ashok Maharaj gave an insightful
an eminent session on “Leveraging Extended Reality in Cultural
Conservator, Heritage”. Ashok Maharaj spoke about the emerging
setting the context mediums for sharing of information and knowledge.
for the day. He elaborated on the Extended Reality (XR) concept
that integrates Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality
The first speaker (AR) and Mixed Reality (MR), illustrating the same with
S. Girikumar, eminent Conservator giving for the day, G. examples. He explained how the Extended Reality
the inaugural address. Sundar addressed concept can be leveraged by archives and museums
the audience on today to help in the dissemination of information
“Indigenous Methods in Paper Conservation”. During as well as in building brand image. He further
his presentation he explained about the process of demonstrated this through an Augmented Reality (AR)
paper manufacturing, the various types of paper postcard specially developed for Tata Central Archives
and factors that affect the lifespan of paper. His by TCS Extended Reality (XR) Lab, Siruseri, Chennai,
presentation laid emphasis on the traditional methods which brought to life information about TCA and its

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