‘Read and grow’: How PN Panicker, father of library movement in Kerala, made masses literate

Prof. C Raveendranath, former state education minister, says Panicker was the most important person who taught society the relevance of reading. “After the age of the Renaissance, it was Panicker who taught the public how information transforms into knowledge. It’s after profound reading and debate that information turns into knowledge and, in the next phase, into wisdom. Reading enables us to transform the knowledge we gain from nature into wisdom. Panicker made reading more public, and libraries became the heart of the village. As education catered to upper-caste people in society before the Renaissance, Panicker helped bridge the gap among the elderly through his activities promoting literacy.”

Indian postal stamp dedicated to PN Panicker

After moving to Ambalapuzha, Panicker, along with Karur Karayil Sivarama Pillai, launched a reading house in 1936 in memory of P K Narayana Pillai, a renowned Malayalam critic and a judge of the High Court of Kerala. Panicker was the first to introduce newspapers like Malayala Manorama and Samadarshi to his panchayat. He dedicated 30 years to the library movement, spreading the message of reading and writing when people were averse to the habit. He led the establishment of libraries in each village and formed Grandhasala Sangams in different parts of the state.

The first library established by PN Panicker in Ambalapuzha, Kerala.

In 1956, Panicker led the formation of the Kerala Grandhasala Sangam by merging three library organisations: the Travancore Grandhasala Sangam, Akhila Cochin Grandhasala Sangam, and the Cochin Grandhasala Sangam. The libraries became places where spirited discussions, debates, and artistic, cultural, and literary programmes were held, transcending political and religious differences. The Sangham received support from then chief minister C Kesavan, who granted the Thulasi Hill building to the group.

Prominent political figures like K Kelapan, KP Kesava Menon, and EMS Namboodiripad were actively involved in promoting the library movement. Under Panicker’s leadership, the Grandhasala Sangham won the prestigious Nadezhda K Krupskaya Prize from UNESCO in 1975. By 1955-75, the Kerala State Library Council had a record of 8,417 libraries under its purview. Furthermore, for developmental activities and literary programs, Panicker established Kerala Association for Non-Formal Education and Development.

One of Panicker’s main achievements was securing financial grants for the Sangham. According to the government scheme, all libraries affiliated with the Sangham received financial aid. It was decided at the second conference of the Grandhasala Sangam held in Kottayam in 1947 to extend the function of its literacy programmes throughout the state. After the third conference in 1948, the Sangham began a certificate course in Library Sciences. The Sangham set forth two key goals: universal education and 100 percent literacy.

Abraham Itticheriya, president of the Kottayam Library Association, tells indianexpress.com, “Panicker used to deliver fiery speeches here, and his key slogan was ‘Read and Grow.’ There were instances when children who listened to him asked innocently, ‘Mashe, how do we read when we are hungry and how will we grow?’ and Panicker used to tell them that they would only grow if they read.”

In his book PN Panicker – Grandhasalayude Perunthachan, KP Vijayan writes, “Panicker was able to make the changing governments understand the functioning of the Grandhasala Sangham… On behalf of the silver jubilee of the Sangham, a cultural rally started from the northern part of Kerala at the Kasargod Municipal Library on November 8, 1970, and reached Trivandrum on December 20. It is doubtful that such a rally, awakening the villages and cities of Kerala with the slogan ‘Read and Grow,’ has been conducted anywhere else in India.”

Literacy movement

After the 1970s, the Grandhasala Sangham reached its zenith. During the literacy movement, then Prime Minister Morarji Desai emphasised the need for a district action plan, a comprehensive literacy programme for the nation. During a conference in Delhi, the literacy program was handed over to KANFED. The key goal of KANFED was to spread non-formal education throughout the state, and the organisation held several training programmes, workshops, rallies, and seminars.

Author MN Karassery told indianexpress.com, “Panicker may be the one and only person who dedicated his life to the establishment of libraries. After a certain point, he resolved to set up libraries across the state, creating ripples in society, whether in politics, caste, religion, or employment. Libraries play a crucial role in society, similar to schools and universities. There are two-storey libraries functioning in the state. Nowadays, the habit of reading has changed. For instance, one does not need libraries to read on Kindle.

Elderly woman undergoes digital literacy training as part of PN Panicker Foundation’s program.

There was a time when political parties competed to set up libraries, as people barely had the money to buy newspapers. Congress published Mathrubhumi, Al Ameen, and there were also Deshabhimani and Chandrika. During my childhood days, people used to gather at tea stalls where one person would read newspapers aloud, as not everyone knew how to read. The success of Keralites in multiple fields can be attributed to the habit of reading, and Panicker played a pivotal role in the library movement. He never worked for a particular political party or religion. He had no vested interests, and people were deeply moved by him. Regardless of caste, creed, or political affiliation, people from all walks of life commemorate him respectfully.”

Total Digital Literacy Program was implemented by PN Panicker Foundation in Kerala.

AG Oleena, Director, Kerala Literacy Mission, says, “We need to remember Panicker’s efforts to emancipate women, Dalits, and marginalised groups. Through the promotion of art and craft, Panicker enabled several groups of people to become empowered and self-reliant. Panicker, a Gandhian, is one of the prominent figures who made Kerala a literate state. He travelled widely across the state to spread the message of reading and enlightened the masses through his work.”

Panicker died on June 19, 1995, at the age of 86. The day has been commemorated as National Reading Day since 1996. In his honour, the Centre dedicated the Digital Library Project, valued at Rs 1,600 crore, to the nation on June 19, 2018.

N Balagopal, Panicker’s son and leader of the PN Panicker Foundation, said he was inspired by his father’s vision and idealism. “The reading mission activities had reached 340 million population of the country as on December 31, 2023. Now the foundation plans to reach 500 million population by 2025. We, now, dream to attain cent percent literacy by 2030 and established libraries in all 2 lakhs and odd villages by 2047.”