Reading is dead, long live reading. This adaptation of the famed expression “The King is dead. Long live the King”, comes to one’s mind when one walks into the 154-year-old Nilgiri Library in Ooty particularly when its Book Club members are in deep discussion.
Into its second year, the Book Club has gained firm roots and its strength is steadily going up. Attributing the growing popularity of the Club, notwithstanding the current status of reading, to many factors, library president Geetha Srinivasan told The Hindu here on Tuesday, “There are still a large number of people who feel that nothing can replace the pleasure of curling up with an interesting book”.
Adding to this is the Victorian ambience of the library especially it’s Wardrop Room which hosts the book club discussions.
Stating that the activities of the club are helping in promoting the habit of reading and espousing the charm of walking into a library, she said that it triggers intellectual exchanges.
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| Book Club Members. Photo:The Hindu |
“The success of the Book Club has spurred us into contemplating the formation of related bodies like a Film Club”, Ms. Srinivasan said and added that the objective is to make the institution as lively as possible without violating its ethos.
Pointing out that the Book Club members are aged between 20 and 80 years, the library secretary Ramakrishna Nambiar said that they meet once a month.
Stating that at some of the sessions even students participate, he said that many of the invitees are now members. Participants even come from places like Coonoor and Kotagiri.
Club Coordinator R. Kamala said that the books for the discussions are chosen two months in advance by the respective anchors. It gives them enough time to thoroughly analyse the books. Pointing out that the authors also are intimated, she said that many of them respond in different ways. At a recent discussion on ‘Innovate Happily’ by Rekha Shetty the author was present.
-Extracted from The Hindu by Mr.D.Radhakrishnan
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