Kozhikode: Eswaran Embranthiri need not have to ponder twice before handing over his collection of 7,000 plus books to Kannur University as he knew that his personal library is going to enrich a vast number of students.
The 70-year old man from Perigamana Illam near Kanhangad is a voracious reader, ready to bite everything that comes under essay, studies or travelogue genre.
His book collection would be handed over to the Malayalam department of the varsity next week at a function in Kanhangad.
“My personal library will embrace posterity, guiding a vast number of students of generations to come,” he says.
His library contains ancient Malayalam books such as Ramacharitham, Kannassa Ramayanam, Ramakathapattu, Thirunizhal Mala and Achee Charithangal.
A limited edition biography of socialist leader Ram Manohar Lohia with 1/4 page size and more than 1,000 pages is another rarity. Aadyakala Manipravala Krithikal and Kerala Mahatmyam are the other attractions.
Kannur University Malayalam HoD Prof A.M. Sreedharan says the old books are an asset to the department as it started off late.
“Limited edition of ancient books is available with the library of other universities as they started functioning years ago. We started in 1996 only. Hence there is a lack of old book collection,” he said.
The university is felicitating Embranthiri at a seminar on January 13 and 14 in Kanhangad.
