KOZHIKODE: Screams and tears. The mention of Kannur often gives a grim picture because of its history of political violence. But Kannur has a literary side too. Home to writers like M Mukundan and T Padmanabhan, the district has the largest number of libraries in the state, indicating a vibrant reading culture.
The statistics from the Kerala State Library Council (KSLC) reveals that Kannur tops the list with 802 operational libraries. The number will cross 1,000 if the non-affiliated, private libraries added to the list.
Shihabudeen Poythumkadavu, a writer from Kannur, traced the genes of this phenomenon to three distinct movements. “The renaissance movement headed by Vagbhatananda, the evolution of nationalist movement and the advent of Leftist movements - all three factors have a vital role in forging the vibrant reading culture of this district,” he said.
Khader Mangad, Vice Chancellor of Kannur University, identified the thriving reading culture in the district with the presence of several villages. “Digital disturbances are minimal in the lazy ambience of villages here. ‘Vayanasalas’ (reading centres) thrive in this atmosphere, facilitating the reading culture.
Kannur has many such villages where reading has a ritualistic role attached to it,” said Khader. “The Arakkal and Chirakkal dynasties and Pazhassi Raja had also appreciated the learning culture of the district, particularly in the context of continuing cultural exchanges held with many foreign nations back then,” he said.
“The library movement in Kannur grew along with the high voltage political activities here. Several libraries came up during the 70s and during the emergency as an act of political resistance,” said Baiju P K, Secretary, District Library Council, Kannur. He said landmarks in Kannur district are mostly libraries unlike schools or places of worship. Many weeklies and newspapers in the state too find a strong presence in Kannur.