One has to turn the yellowing pages gingerly. The Tamil style is terse, which is not surprising, because the book was published in 1878. A first edition, it has explanations for Thiruvoimozhi by Azhvartirunagari Araiyar and K. Ramaswami Naidu. A 1929 book has an intriguing title — Samaya Kindergarten , which can be loosely translated as kindergarten level lessons on religion! There is a 1928 book of explanations of the 13th century Tamil grammar work — Nannool by scholars Mu. Sadagopa Ramanujachariar and S. Krishnamachari. There are many such collectors’ items in the library, which is the result of one man’s passion for Tamil literature.
Eighty seven year old K. Mahalingam, was born in a family of weavers in Saidapet, and studied up to class five in the Corporation school there. He loved books and used to read whatever he could lay his hands on. “My favourite author was Mu. Varadarasanar, because Mu.Va could narrate even an unpleasant incident in the most inoffensive style,” he says.
Mahalingam, who wears only Khadi, was drawn to the freedom movement, and even had a glimpse of Gandhiji, when the latter visited the Hindi Prachar Sabha in 1946. Inspired by Gandhian ideals, Mahalingam had an urge to give back something to society, and came up with the idea of a library, where people could borrow books without burning a hole in their pockets. Thus was born the Mahatma Gandhi Nool Nilayam. It initially operated out of a wooden chest! Mahalingam’s friend ran a shop that sold masala milk, and Mahalingam kept his books there, informally lending books to those interested.
Soon news of ‘the library in the wooden chest spread,’ and a resident of Saidapet — M.K. Venugopalachari rented a small room for the library at eight rupees a month. The library was formally inaugurated in 1952 by Bharatiar’s protege, Parali Su. Nellaiappar, and moved to its present premises on Karaneeswarar Kovil Street, Saidapet. The inaugural meeting was presided over by Congress MLA C.R. Ramaswamy. “Subscription was only 50 paise a month, and I had 250 books then,” recalls Mahalingam. “Members were mostly interested in thrillers.
“Popular authors were Medavi, Arani Kuppuswamy Mudaliar, Vaduvur Doraiswamy Iyengar, Chiranjeevi and Cheran. Chandramouli, a popular writer of mysteries, who lived on Lake View Road, West Mambalam, gave me his books for free. Later members began to ask for other genres too,” he adds.
Mahalingam made his living through tailoring, and he would do his sewing in the library. He closed his tailoring unit when he turned eighty.
A couple of years after the library opened, Mahalingam’s friend Palanisami Nadar introduced him to Sakti Kishnaswamy, script writer for successful films like ‘Veerapandia Kattabomman’ and ‘Enga Veettu Pillai.’ Sakti Krishnaswamy was so impressed with Mahalingam’s library, that he was its patron for almost 45 years.
Every year, Krishnaswamy arranged for proceeds from one show of one of his films to be donated to the library. “He once asked Kamaraj to give him a tax exemption for that one show. But Kamaraj said that if Krishnaswamy asked for such favours, then people would look askance at his donations,” laughs Mahalingam. Every year, Mahalingam honours a few Tamil writers with the Sakti Krishnaswamy award.
Over the years, Mahalingam’s collection has swelled to 30,000 books. There isn’t enough space for all of them in the small room out of which the library functions. Some of them are kept in his house, and some in the house of a member. It was only recently that the books were indexed. Even now Mahalingam can pick a book easily, without referring to the index.
The library, which operates on a not-for-profit basis, has only Tamil books. Almost all popular Tamil writers have visited the library. “In 1954, Rajaji was to preside over our annual function. Unfortunately, Kalki died that day. But Rajaji said that the function should not be rescheduled, and addressed the members of the library.”
Gandhi statue
There is a bust of Mahatma Gandhi in the library, which was opened by Chief Minister Kamarajar in 1958. “I do a puja for it every day,” says Mahalingam. The room that houses the library is at a much lower level than the road. When it rains, Mahalingam has to bale out the water. Surprisingly, when the whole city was inundated in 2015, water from the road did not enter the library! “Must have been divine intervention,” says Mahalingam.
The library has won many awards, notably the Dr. S.R. Ranganathan award, given by the Tamil Nadu Library Association.
Do books sometimes go unreturned? “Members return the books. But sometimes researchers come here for rare books, promising to return the books when their work is done. But the books never come back.”
Mayor Saidai Doraiswamy has been a pillar of support, says Mahalingam. Gratifying moments have been when authors like Kadugu have contacted Mahalingam for copies of their books!
