Indian language multimedia and information retrieval

Over the last decade or so, remarkable developments in computer technology have given a major impetus to research in the field of multimedia. With the proliferation of the Internet and the increasingly widespread use of sophisticated computers, the multimedia revolution has arrived in India as well. It is therefore time to take stock of the situation: to evaluate how existing techniques can be used in the Indian context and to determine what new methods have to be developed. This paper summarizes the current state of multimedia technology in India and points to directions for further work. As more and more people in India begin to use computers and the Internet, multimedia capabilities will start playing a vital role in solving problems in many different areas. Education is probably one of the most important areas where multimedia technology can have a major impact. Already, multimedia educational systems are being developed in Indian languages. Several interactive encyclopaedia-like environments are also being marketed on CD-ROMs, and cover topics ranging from Indian classical music to Indian history, using text, images and sound. Some of the other possible applications of multimedia technology are: the development of digital libraries, news and information dissemination services, medicine, business and commerce, and the entertainment industry. Multimedia information technology is thus poised to become an exciting area for research and development activities in India.