Temples of Knowledge
Temples of Knowledge
The concept of public library has existed for thousands of years across different countries. From clay tablets to computers, they have played an important role in building an educated and literate society. In India, libraries can be traced back to the days when books were written on palm leaves. Below is the story of three public libraries in Bengaluru that have informed and educated people for several decades and continue to be the temples of knowledge for the current generation.
Text by Arvind Krishnaswamy
State Central Library
The State Library located in Seshadri Memorial Hall, Cubbon Park was inaugurated on May 1,1915 as a government institution by Sir Leslie Miller, then Chief Judge of Mysore. It was initially known as “The Public Library” and the proposal to build it came out of the 1912 Mysore Economic Conference, an initiative of Sir M Visvesvaraya. A sum of ₹20,000 was sanctioned for the initial purchase of books. It was decided to use Seshadri Memorial Hall to house the library (interestingly, the hall had been used for various purposes including hosting the Mechanical Engineering School temporarily). The hall was built in 1905 in honour of K Seshadri Iyer, who was the Dewan of Mysore State for 18 years. The construction was funded by a grant from the Maharajah of Mysore along with public subscriptions which added up to ₹1 lakh.
The library was open throughout the year between 8 am to 8 pm except for Mondays and holidays. In 1920, it was converted to an aided library managed by a committee of 15 members with a grant from the Government. At the time it had 215 members and 4750 books. The library handbook listed the rules to be admitted as a member which mandated residence in either Bengaluru or Mysore, not convicted of any serious offence or be bankrupt or a lunatic! Over the years, the committee was headed by eminent personalities such as M Shama Rao, noted historian-author and a State Officer in Government Service and K S Chandrashekara Aiyar, Chief Judge of the High Court and Theosophist.
Initially, membership was open by payment of a fee and books were lent to members. There were three categories of members called A, B and C, with a separate Members Reading Room for A and B class members. An A class member paid ₹2 per month to borrow 4 books, B class member paid ₹1 per month to borrow 2 books, C class paid ₹1 and 8 anna or ₹1.50 per quarter to borrow one book. Readers were not allowed to pick books directly but had to write it on a “Reader’s call slip” for the librarian to fetch from the shelf . In the 1930s, the library had about 1000 members and 18,000 books.
The library’s silver jubilee was celebrated on November 5, 1940 and Sir Mirza Ismail presided over the celebrations. With the implementation of the Karnataka Public Libraries Act in 1965, the Public Library became the State Central Library from December 5, 1966. By 1975, there were about 7500 members and 121,000 books. It was mandated that any book published in the state had to be submitted to the library (State Bureau of Copyright Collections) for copyright registration. In 1986, the library was converted to a reference only institution.
Today, it is still by far the biggest public library in the city. With its proximity to many educational institutions around K R Circle, students form the majority of users with many of them preparing for competitive exams. The library does not have much parking since it is inside Cubbon Park and nearest public transport is a ten minute walk. Bookshelves are dusty and some books show wear and tear. Parts of the library catalogue went missing in 2007 during a renovation. Despite this, the library is a must visit for book lovers with its collection of over 2,50,000 books.
State Central Library
The State Library located in Seshadri Memorial Hall, Cubbon Park was inaugurated on May 1,1915 as a government institution by Sir Leslie Miller, then Chief Judge of Mysore. It was initially known as “The Public Library” and the proposal to build it came out of the 1912 Mysore Economic Conference, an initiative of Sir M Visvesvaraya. A sum of ₹20,000 was sanctioned for the initial purchase of books. It was decided to use Seshadri Memorial Hall to house the library (interestingly, the hall had been used for various purposes including hosting the Mechanical Engineering School temporarily). The hall was built in 1905 in honour of K Seshadri Iyer, who was the Dewan of Mysore State for 18 years. The construction was funded by a grant from the Maharajah of Mysore along with public subscriptions which added up to ₹1 lakh.
The library was open throughout the year between 8 am to 8 pm except for Mondays and holidays. In 1920, it was converted to an aided library managed by a committee of 15 members with a grant from the Government. At the time it had 215 members and 4750 books. The library handbook listed the rules to be admitted as a member which mandated residence in either Bengaluru or Mysore, not convicted of any serious offence or be bankrupt or a lunatic! Over the years, the committee was headed by eminent personalities such as M Shama Rao, noted historian-author and a State Officer in Government Service and K S Chandrashekara Aiyar, Chief Judge of the High Court and Theosophist.
Initially, membership was open by payment of a fee and books were lent to members. There were three categories of members called A, B and C, with a separate Members Reading Room for A and B class members. An A class member paid ₹2 per month to borrow 4 books, B class member paid ₹1 per month to borrow 2 books, C class paid ₹1 and 8 anna or ₹1.50 per quarter to borrow one book. Readers were not allowed to pick books directly but had to write it on a “Reader’s call slip” for the librarian to fetch from the shelf . In the 1930s, the library had about 1000 members and 18,000 books.
The library’s silver jubilee was celebrated on November 5, 1940 and Sir Mirza Ismail presided over the celebrations. With the implementation of the Karnataka Public Libraries Act in 1965, the Public Library became the State Central Library from December 5, 1966. By 1975, there were about 7500 members and 121,000 books. It was mandated that any book published in the state had to be submitted to the library (State Bureau of Copyright Collections) for copyright registration. In 1986, the library was converted to a reference only institution.
Today, it is still by far the biggest public library in the city. With its proximity to many educational institutions around K R Circle, students form the majority of users with many of them preparing for competitive exams. The library does not have much parking since it is inside Cubbon Park and nearest public transport is a ten minute walk. Bookshelves are dusty and some books show wear and tear. Parts of the library catalogue went missing in 2007 during a renovation. Despite this, the library is a must visit for book lovers with its collection of over 2,50,000 books.
The Mythic Society
The Mythic Society was founded in 1909 to provide a common platform for the British and Indians to discuss and support activities focused on history, religion, culture, philosophy and ethnology. Sir Hugh Daly. President of the Mythic Society between 1900 and 1920, was the architect of the library located on its premises on Nrupatunga Road (then known as Cenotaph Road). Sir Daly donated his collection of books on ethnology and archaeology to the library. A site was granted on January 25, 1916 and the foundation stone of the Daly Memorial Hall was laid on August 30, 1916 by Krishnaraja Wodeyar. Within a year, on July 25, 1917, the hall built in European Renaissance style with Corinthian pillars was opened to the public in the presence of Kanteerava Narasimharaja Wadiyar, brother of Maharaja Krishnaraja Wodeyar, Sir M Visvesvaraya and many others. Books were lent by the Maharajah, Gustav Krumbiegel (who served as a Treasurer of the society), Oxford University Press, Smithsonian Institute and many others.
Today, the collection has grown to over 46,000 books in multiple languages. It includes books from the collections of C Hayavadana Rao and renowned historian S Krishnaswamy Iyengar. The institution has published The Quarterly Journal of the Mythic Society for over a hundred years. In 1988, the library was extended to the newly constructed T T Sharman Sabhangana1 (or Hall) named after Tirumale Tatacharya Sharman, a noted epigraphist and journalist.
During the 1960s and 1970s, the society and the library were not in good shape due to mismanagement and financial difficulties. Valuable books from the library were stolen. Attempts were made to improve the administration and revive the society and library by eminent Sanskrit scholar and educationist Prof M P L Sastry, who was its president in 1971. Lending of books was discontinued in 1971 to preserve its collection. A qualified Librarian and assistant were employed to manage the library. Books were catalogued by an author card index and also a title card index.
For those interested in visiting, it is useful to note that it is not a library where you can wander around bookshelves and pick out books. If you have specific books or topics in mind, the visit will be more fruitful. Once you walk inside, you can use the computer to search for books either by title, author or by topic of interest (the library also maintains the old style card catalog even today). Then you can note it on a paper for the library staff to gather them and bring it to you (similar to the process adopted by the State Central Library when it opened a little over hundred years ago). The library is quiet and the atmosphere conducive to losing yourself in the world of printed words. You are allowed to copy limited material either by photocopying for a fee or simply using your mobile phone camera. However, before you do that, the list of pages need to be given at the front desk with your contact details. The steps taken earlier to protect its collection are still followed even today.
This library is meant for those looking for valuable information from hard to find books. Today, the Mythic Society Library ranks as one of the best reference libraries for research scholars in India.
1 Handbook of Libraries, Archives & Information Centres in India, B. M. Gupta Segment Books, 1984
The Mythic Society
The Mythic Society was founded in 1909 to provide a common platform for the British and Indians to discuss and support activities focused on history, religion, culture, philosophy and ethnology. Sir Hugh Daly. President of the Mythic Society between 1900 and 1920, was the architect of the library located on its premises on Nrupatunga Road (then known as Cenotaph Road). Sir Daly donated his collection of books on ethnology and archaeology to the library. A site was granted on January 25, 1916 and the foundation stone of the Daly Memorial Hall was laid on August 30, 1916 by Krishnaraja Wodeyar. Within a year, on July 25, 1917, the hall built in European Renaissance style with Corinthian pillars was opened to the public in the presence of Kanteerava Narasimharaja Wadiyar, brother of Maharaja Krishnaraja Wodeyar, Sir M Visvesvaraya and many others. Books were lent by the Maharajah, Gustav Krumbiegel (who served as a Treasurer of the society), Oxford University Press, Smithsonian Institute and many others. Today, the collection has grown to over 46,000 books in multiple languages. It includes books from the collections of C Hayavadana Rao and renowned historian S Krishnaswamy Iyengar. The institution has published The Quarterly Journal of the Mythic Society for over a hundred years. In 1988, the library was extended to the newly constructed T T Sharman Sabhangana1 (or Hall) named after Tirumale Tatacharya Sharman, a noted epigraphist and journalist.
During the 1960s and 1970s, the society and the library were not in good shape due to mismanagement and financial difficulties. Valuable books from the library were stolen. Attempts were made to improve the administration and revive the society and library by eminent Sanskrit scholar and educationist Prof M P L Sastry, who was its president in 1971. Lending of books was discontinued in 1971 to preserve its collection. A qualified Librarian and assistant were employed to manage the library. Books were catalogued by an author card index and also a title card index.
For those interested in visiting, it is useful to note that it is not a library where you can wander around bookshelves and pick out books. If you have specific books or topics in mind, the visit will be more fruitful. Once you walk inside, you can use the computer to search for books either by title, author or by topic of interest (the library also maintains the old style card catalog even today). Then you can note it on a paper for the library staff to gather them and bring it to you (similar to the process adopted by the State Central Library when it opened a little over hundred years ago). The library is quiet and the atmosphere conducive to losing yourself in the world of printed words. You are allowed to copy limited material either by photocopying for a fee or simply using your mobile phone camera. However, before you do that, the list of pages need to be given at the front desk with your contact details. The steps taken earlier to protect its collection are still followed even today. This library is meant for those looking for valuable information from hard to find books. Today, the Mythic Society Library ranks as one of the best reference libraries for research scholars in India.
1 Handbook of Libraries, Archives & Information Centres in India, B. M. Gupta Segment Books, 1984
Indian Institute of World Culture
Bahman Pestonji Wadia or B P Wadia as he was more popularly known, came from a wealthy Parsi family involved in diverse business areas such as ship building and textiles. He was a good businessman but also interested in philosophy and other serious topics. B P Wadia was one of the founders of United Lodge of Theosophists in India with branches in Bombay and Bengaluru. The Bengaluru branch managed the Indian Institute of World Culture (IIWC) started in 1945 (originally called Indian Institute of Culture until 1957). The institute is partly funded by membership dues for short-term initiatives, sponsors for major work and also many endowments including the T P Kailasam Endowment Fund.
The library, opened in July 1947, is part of the IIWC in the one acre property opposite the M N Krishna Rao Park in Basavanagudi. The library has a vast collection of books which has grown from 26,000 books in 1970 to about 45,000 in 2016. Currently, the library claims to have over 100,000 books according to its website. The Children’s library opened in 1955 now has over 10,000 books. It has been the favourite of children for more than seven decades, particularly of those in the southern part of the city. Children from The Home School just around the corner (relocated now to Thalagattapura) and nearby East West School were eager to run to the library at every opportunity. Interestingly, the initial activities of IIWC was held at the location of the East West School building at Armugam Circle in Basavanagudi. IIWC also had Dr. Behnan’s Library which carried important reference books. The road on which IIWC stands today was known as North Public Square Road until 1959, when it was changed to B P Wadia Road following his death.
The library is open to members and non-members, but in order to keep space available to people who want to use library material, IIWC does not allow use of the reading room for books brought from outside.
Jacques Dedeyn, honorary director of IIWC was a librarian for many years until his death in 1971 but there are no full-time qualified librarians today. Over the past decade, there has been an initiative to build a digital catalogue of all the books in the library.
For over 75 years, the main library was above the Wadia Hall and the adjacent building which was linked by a cute mini bridge. Now, the main library has been shifted to the Manorama Hall building replacing the children’s library, which in turn has moved upstairs.
IIWC is one of the few remaining places where you can feel the old world charm of Basavanagudi of yore.
Indian Institute of World Culture
Bahman Pestonji Wadia or B P Wadia as he was more popularly known, came from a wealthy Parsi family involved in diverse business areas such as ship building and textiles. He was a good businessman but also interested in philosophy and other serious topics. B P Wadia was one of the founders of United Lodge of Theosophists in India with branches in Bombay and Bengaluru. The Bengaluru branch managed the Indian Institute of World Culture (IIWC) started in 1945 (originally called Indian Institute of Culture until 1957). The institute is partly funded by membership dues for short-term initiatives, sponsors for major work and also many endowments including the T P Kailasam Endowment Fund.
The library, opened in July 1947, is part of the IIWC in the one acre property opposite the M N Krishna Rao Park in Basavanagudi. The library has a vast collection of books which has grown from 26,000 books in 1970 to about 45,000 in 2016. Currently, the library claims to have over 100,000 books according to its website. The Children’s library opened in 1955 now has over 10,000 books. It has been the favourite of children for more than seven decades, particularly of those in the southern part of the city. Children from The Home School just around the corner (relocated now to Thalagattapura) and nearby East West School were eager to run to the library at every opportunity. Interestingly, the initial activities of IIWC was held at the location of the East West School building at Armugam Circle in Basavanagudi. IIWC also had Dr. Behnan’s Library which carried important reference books. The road on which IIWC stands today was known as North Public Square Road until 1959, when it was changed to B P Wadia Road following his death.
The library is open to members and non-members, but in order to keep space available to people who want to use library material, IIWC does not allow use of the reading room for books brought from outside.
Jacques Dedeyn, honorary director of IIWC was a librarian for many years until his death in 1971 but there are no full-time qualified librarians today. Over the past decade, there has been an initiative to build a digital catalogue of all the books in the library.
For over 75 years, the main library was above the Wadia Hall and the adjacent building which was linked by a cute mini bridge. Now, the main library has been shifted to the Manorama Hall building replacing the children’s library, which in turn has moved upstairs.
IIWC is one of the few remaining places where you can feel the old world charm of Basavanagudi of yore.
“The only thing that you absolutely have to know, is the location of the library.”
– Albert Einstein (1879 – 1955)
