Rajamahendravaram: 122-yr-old Gowthami Library beckons book lovers

Rajamahendravaram: In what could be described as one of the historical landmarks of the cultural city of Andhra Pradesh, Sri Gowthami Regional Library (GRL) is also one among the renowned libraries in the country such as Thanjavur Library in Tamil Nadu. The library has seen many a weather during its existence of 122 years since 1898.

Many stalwarts headed the library and also visited the house of knowledge while some of them were regular visitors.

The library is a place for hundreds of rare, valuable and ancient books, palm leaf manuscripts and scripts on copperplates that cannot be found in any other library anywhere in the country. The library is a treasure of 1.10 lakh books including 15,000 rare books. Some of these books are even relate to the 17th, 18th, 19th and 20th centuries.

The library houses 1,500 rare books which were published prior to 1900, and 8,115 books published prior to 1923 and around 5,000 books published up to the year 1950. The valuable collection includes books in various languages including Telugu, Sanskrit, Hindi, Kannada, Tamil, English and Urdu.

The important and historical periodicals which are no defunct such as Chintamani, Vivekavardhani, Kalavathi, Andhra Mahila and Gruha Lakshmi and scores of others are also available for reference in the library. The institution possesses in its valuable collection a silver-coated stylus used for writing on palm leaves popularly known as Ghantam in Sanskrit.

The first copy of the Britannica Encyclopedia of 1771 which was published in three volumes is available for reference in this gold mine of books.

Moreover, Tamra Sasanalu (Royal orders carved on copper plates) relating to 13th and 14th centuries are available and the Tamra Sasanalu related to Kumaragiri Reddy, one of the rulers of the historical city.

At present, there are about 400 manuscripts of Colonel McKenzie relating to every focal area of twin Godavari districts which is available in three volumes.

Meanwhile, so far, 16,000 rare and valuable books out of 30,000 books were digitised with the help of former MLA Dr Akula Satyanarayana and the process is still continuing.

A glance into the history of the library reveals that it came into existence in 1898 in the name of Sri Veeresalingam Panthulu Library. Later, with the efforts of Nalam Krishna Rao it was merged with Sarvajana Grandhalayam.

Later, Addanki Satyanarayana Sharma established the Vasuraya Library with the initiative of eminent scholar Vaddadi Subbarayudu a contemporary of Veeresalingam Panthulu.

Later, then the two libraries jointly registered in 1920 under the Societies Registrations Act. Subsequently, Ratna Kavi Grandhala Mala, a library named after Kokkonda Venkat Ratnam Panthulu also amalgamated in Gowthami Regional Library.

Stalwarts such as Bhamidipati Kameshwara Rao, Kasinadhuni Nageswara Rao, Raja Vikram Deva Varma, Tenneti Viswanadham and Cattamanchi Ramalinga Reddy and scores of others used to visit the library at regular intervals.

Library Gazetted Librarian RCH Venkat Rao said that the building was constructed in a 3,100 square yards which was donated by the then noted barrister Garimella Bapanna and registered in the year 1920.

The State government took over the library in the year 1979.

Many foreigners, students and research scholars across the country also visit the library. One year ago, a new building was constructed at a cost of Rs 2.75 crore with all latest facilities.

Of the total amount, former MLA Dr Akula Satyanarayana sanctioned Rs 2 crore from his special development funds and Rs 75 lakh was sanctioned from the MLA LAD funds and Municipal Corporation of Rajamahendravaram provided Rs 25 lakh for purchasing tables, chairs and other basic infrastructure.

One more new building is also coming up in the place of existing old building, which is essential for additional sections. At about 700 to 800 readers come to the library every day. Plans are afoot to get national status to the library which has all the necessary parameters to achieve it, Venkat Rao added.

In one sentence, the GRL is a boon to the students, research scholars and other interested sections and there is need to develop it more.