| Study Circle's History |
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Today the Study Circle is still the only library in Gokarna. Created by the brahmin Sri G. M. Vedeshwar, the library retains priceless historical pieces of work.
Born at the end of the 1920s in Gokarna, a sacred village in the south indian state of Karnataka, Sri G. M. Vedeshwar begins what will become the passion of his entire life when he is10 years old. Obsessed with reading, he opens Balasangha, a sort of micro-library. His first catalogue dates back to 1939. At this early stage his friends and several well-wishers help him develop his project by donating their books. His collection expands rapidly and a few years later he gives a larger dimension to this early venture by opening the Karnataka Sangha. He then addresses himself to specialized companies, foreign ambassies, as well as indian and international publishers. He describes his ambition and asks for their help in the making of his collection, requesting them to send their publications, free of cost. Convinced and enthusiast, to his great astonishment they accept! Streams of publications from all over the world start pouring on the small Gokarna library. When in 1945 Sri G. M. Vedeshwar opens the Study Circle, the Karnataka Sangha already has several thousands of books. The brahman now encounters difficulties classifying the books and spends several years cautiously re-ordering his collections. The Study Circle is soon supported and congratulated by numerous international organisations. Scholars, men of letters and writers come here to draw informations and references. Sri G. M. Vedeshwar’s library becomes popular amongst the indian intellectual circle. Impressed by this marvellous work and unique collection, Sir Herbert Reed, member of the Royal Academy of London, expressed his desire to become one of the directors of the Study Circle, and gave to the collection some 400 illustrated volumes on world art history. Few foreign dignitaries, including the editor of the litterary magazine The Encounter, Stephen Spender, donated periodics and books to the collection. Seduced by Sri G. M. Vedeshwar’s total devotion, Sri V.Raghavan, former president of the professor council All India Sanskrit of Madras university, stated in his testimony that his personnal collection of several thousands of books will be donated to the Study Circle. Political figures, such as the president Dr. Rajendra Prasad, also visited the Study Circle. In 1994, the public department of Karnataka state’s libraries finally recognised this studious and dedicated work by declaring the Study Circle best library of the year.
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