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Week long event will enable people to have a look at the archival collection of the DPL which has not only maintained books and printed materials but also an interesting collection of audio and video materials. There will be a series of seminars and presentations highlighting various literary aspects which will be attended by distinguished guests. By Pallab Ghosh
The Delhi Public Library (DPL) completes 60 years of its being. An exhibition “A Saga of Times Gone By” was organized to mark this grand occasion. Sheila Dixit, Delhi chief minister inaugurated the six day long event at the Lalit Kala Academy lawns, New Delhi on Monday. Also present on this occasion was Dr. Karan Singh, Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) and chairperson, Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR) and Jawhar Sirkar, secretary, ministry of culture. The occasion was graced by distinguished guests from all walks of life. “The week long display beginning February one is an unique potpourri of events, archival and musical exhibits that will engage the interest of the academics as well as curious readers and students. The DPL seeks to showcase its role as an institution that provides the public with information and insight into India’s polity, society and culture”, said Shailja Chandra, chairperson, Delhi Library Board.
Many of us share our childhood memories with this library especially during the summer vacations. Some of us have also had the privilege of knowing the audio/visual collection and going through the archive. The library was started as a pilot project by the UNESCO in 1951 by Government of India and was inaugurated by then prime minister Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru on October 27 1951 and has emerged as the busiest public library in South-East Asia over the passage of time. Having a collection of 17 lakh books in English, Hindi, Punjabi and Urdu, the library today offers free internet service and lending of its digital media-DVDs and CDs at select centers. The online catalogue system has made things easy for the reader who would have to come to library personally to check the availability of a specific title but can now save time and money both by surfing the website and check for the availability of the book. The mobile library has tried to reach out to the every nook and corner of the city especially to the resettlement colonies. Many though feel that books are fast loosing importance among the young generation owing to the popularity of electronic media. Partly true though since this is why the DPL is living in the oblivion since long.
‘The Newseum’ displaying a rare archival collection of two newspapers (The Hindustan Times and The Navbharat Times) published in English and Hindi respectively from 1952 to 1972. DPL was declared fourth ‘Recipient Library’ by the Government of India under the Delivery of Books and Newspaper Act 1954 (as amended in 1956) on December 16, 1981. Under this provision of this act DPL is entitled to receive a complimentary copy of each publication in all Indian languages. A collage comprising the visual history of advertisement published in newspapers from 1952 to 2002 along with assortment of photographs, cartoons and articles made the exhibition nostalgic. The library which has a rare collection of 4000 gramophone records, selection displaying four categories- Indian classical & semi classical, Hindi film songs, religious & devotional songs, popular Indian & western music. “While going through the archive I tried to do full justice to the collection which is indeed quite vast. I have tried to digitalize selected records into audio cds along with a short introduction about the artist”, said Irfan Zuberi, Phd scholar at the Centre for Culture, Media and governance, Jamia Millia Islamia and in-charge of archival development, Naadsagar Archives and Documentation Society for South Asian Music. Some of the selection includes records like- The Greatest Love Songs of K.L. Saigal, Suraiya, All Time Favourites of S.D. Burman, Kishore Kumar Sings for 16 Heroes, The Multifaceted genius of Ameer Khusro, Chitti Babu, Batuk Nandi, Pt. Gajananrao Joshi, Geetanjali, Tagore Songs:Gems Forever, Homage Unto Ahura Mazda, Martial Music of Indian Army, Folk Songs of India Dulal Roy (Santoor), Himangshu Biswas (Flute), Dagar Brothers, Fyaz Khan, Iqbal Bano, Panna Lal Ghosh, Binaca Geet Mala, Gurubani Gavo Bhai, Noor-e-Islam and many more.
Speaking on this occasion Dr. Karan Singh said, “Relationship with me and the DPL is quite long and it gives me immense pleasure to be a part of this grand event. I have been reading books all my life and have a wide range of books in my collection”. However, Singh expressed his concern over the non-reading habit among the new generation today. “I have a personal library in Jammu which house fairly good range of books and situated in the picturesque surroundings over facing the Vasihno Mata Temple hills but the tragedy is inspite of everything not many visit the library”. However, he complimented the DPL for maintaining systematic records of books and other materials. “Many asked me the reason to organize such an exhibition. I confess I was moved to see a small room packed with children finding it difficult to have a seat yet engrossed in reading books. It was that moment when I felt that the saga of DPL and its journey over the years must be exhibited”, said Shailja Chandra.
'Delhi through the lens' pose an attraction among the visitors who were carried away by the exclusive photographs of Delhi that juxtapose the past and the present while delineating the city's ever changing facade will be on view.
The exhibition offers a rich fare of ‘bibliophiles’. The books section includes books from 17th century sourced from Hardayal Municipal Library and Marwari Library. Also DPL’s own wide range of books on various subjects was displayed. “I am amazed to see that DPL has maintained such a wide range of audio/video materials along with books which is indeed commendable”, said Jawhar Sircar, Secretary, Ministry of Culture. He said that there was nothing wrong in going digital since it will unable a larger section of people to access the materials which will remain into oblivion otherwise. “The Central Secretariat library which is the second largest Central Government library after the National Library in Kolkata which is also the largest library in India, with a collection in excess of 2.2 million books. Initiative should be taken to bring all the prime libraries on a digital format under one roof”, Sircar added. Narrating his experience of using different reading room over the years, he said, “though many may be unaware of the library at the Central Secretariat but since I had the privilege of working there for so many years it was natural for me to visit the library quite often. I have spent 35 years in government service and have closely monitored various government libraries and their functioning but am amazed to see the archival collection that DPL has maintained”. Referring to the collection of newspapers kept on display he said that it should not be restricted to DPL members alone and must be taken to a larger section of people as it gives an insight into history. Apprising of the initiatives taken by the library in order to make it popular among the masses Dr. Banwari Lal, Director, DPL said, “Initiatives are being taken to take this exhibition to different parts on the National Capital Region and also improve the mobile service of DPL”.
Speaking on this occasion Sheila Dixit complimented Chandra for successfully organizing the exhibition and expressed her happiness over the idea of taking the exhibition to NCR. “I beg to differ with Karan Singhji on the non-reading habit among new generations as I strongly feel that they do read books but you need to have books of their interest. However, I agree that television has larger influence on children”, she said. Expressing her astonishment over the archival collection of audio and video materials she complimented DPL for maintaining the records. “I feel the suggestion given by Secretary, Culture to bring libraries on one platform is commendable as it will enable people to a better reach”, added Dixit. However, the chief minister came up with a innovative idea and requested schools to make arrangements to accommodate local children (non students) of the area and let them use the school library in that area. “the schools should allow local children even those non student of that school to use the library as this will certainly help in developing the reading habit”, she added. Apparently, it may sound interesting but may have practical problem in implementing though.
The exhibition has been supported by Ministry of Culture and partnered by Lalit Kala Academy, Raja Rammohun Roy Library Foundation, Indira Gandhi Centre for the Arts, National Archive of India, 9.9 Media Pvt Ltd, National Institute of Sciences Communication & Information Resources, India Trade Promotion Organization, New Delhi Municipal Council, Directorate of Education, Delhi Government, All India Radio (AIR), Jamia Millia Islamia and CNN-IBN.
