In the early days of August, Eravi Library at Vadakkumbhagam saw a shrinking inflow of patrons, a regular trait of rainy months.
But in a couple of days Kerala was fighting a deadly calamity, with most of the State on red alert.
The day the Idukki dam shutter was opened after a gap of 26 years, Prakash S., the librarian, started compiling press cuttings in his deserted library.
And Nootandile Pralayam , his dossier on the disaster, maps the timeline of the floods through a carefully curated collection of news articles.
The hardbound book showcases the scale of the tragedy, the resilience of the people, inspiring tales of human spirit, and the sense of camaraderie Kerala witnessed during the ordeal.
“During one of those days I came across an old press cutting in a daily about the floods in 1924. It wasn’t easy getting the details of that flood as the information is scattered across a string of sources. So the idea was to create a comprehensive file on the floods of 2018, something that gives the reader a complete picture. I felt it will be useful for future generations,” says Mr. Prakash.
Simple layout
Browsing through Nootandile Pralayam you will find nearly all flood-related news stories and pictures from a set of language dailies dated August 8 to 31. “I used thick A4 sheets to paste the cuttings and the layout is very simple, making it easier to read.”
Mr. Prakash adds he pored over all dailies subscribed by the library to select articles and pictures. “I focussed on the coverage of a couple of leading dailies and handpicked items to avoid repetition.”
The 200-page book is dedicated to newspaper articles and the librarian says he avoided reports published by magazines and other sources.
“This book has an organic pattern as it documents the events and newsbreaks of each day. It chronicles from different perspectives how the situation evolved and how Kerala faced it,” he adds.
Mr. Prakash feels books will never lose their relevance despite the profusion of data available online. “A written document is always more authentic, the primary point of reference for most. A copy of Nootandile Pralayam is displayed at our library and majority of visitors find it very informative,” he says.
