Discovering Pali Manuscript Wisdom through Visual Character Recognition

Abstract

"The preservation and dissemination of knowledge within ancient manuscripts present significant challenges, especially due to the limited number of experts proficient in the respective languages. In the case of Pali manuscripts, this challenge is particularly acute given the scarcity of proficient readers. Interviews with subject specialists reveal a declining interest among new entrants to this field, posing a risk of losing valuable knowledge. In response, this paper proposes the development of an Optical Character Recognition (OCR) system tailored for Pali manuscripts. This system aims to digitize manuscript content, facilitating access through digital means and serving as an initial step towards preserving and disseminating the knowledge contained within Pali manuscripts. The proposed OCR system emphasizes character segmentation and recognition. Upon inputting a palm leaf manuscript, the system accurately segments and recognizes characters. It then converts these recognized characters into editable text, enabling straightforward comprehension and analysis of the manuscript content. This integration provides an efficient solution for reading and interpreting Pali manuscripts"