Library a tribute to author’s love of learning
Submitted by: anonymous , Created at : 2007-12-19 22:44:15 UTC [Write Comment]By Kyaw Soe Lynn
A LIBRARY established by one of Myanmar's best-known and respected writers to share his love of books and learning celebrates its second anniversary on December 24.
"My intention was to establish one of the major libraries in Myanmar," said Paragu, 86, amid the shelves holding more than 30,000 books that stand as a tribute to his determination to achieve his objective.
The library is believed to house one of widest selections of foreign language books in Myanmar. Apart from those in Myanmar, there are books in English, Hindi, Pali, Sanskrit, Sinhalese and Japanese.
For students and researchers of Myanmar, Asian studies, art, history and philosophy, the library is a rich repository of knowledge.
Most of the volumes are reference books and a many of those using the library are conducting research for a doctoral thesis.
The idea for the library stemmed from Paragu's interest in preserving the books he has amassed during a lifetime.
"As an author, I have collected many books, more than 5000. When I pass away, I do not want them to be lost. This is what gave me the idea to establish a library," he said.
Paragu named the library after Shantiniketan, a learning centre about 180 kilometres north of Kolkata founded in 1901 by the great Indian author and poet, Rabindranath Tagore, who won the Nobel prize for literature in 1913.
"I have enormous respect for Tagore," said Paragu, who has visited Shantiniketan and has translated many of the Indian writer's works into Myanmar.
"I like the name and its meaning," he said of Shantiniketan. "It means 'abode of peace.'"
The library is funded by Paragu's earnings from the articles he writes for periodicals and donations from wellwishers. The library has four staff.
"I earn nearly K100,000 a month from writing for weekly or monthly periodicals and this is used to pay the salaries of the library staff," Paragu said.
"I intend to hand over the copyright of all my books for the library's use after I pass away and its central executive committee will have to take charge of publishing my books," he said.
Paragu said this would enable the library to be sustained by the earnings from publishing his books.
The library would also welcome donations to help defray its operating expenses.
Paragu was born in 1921 at Thananthanaw village, Hinthada district, in Ayeyarwady Division.
In 1947, he travelled to India to study Hindi and Sanskrit at the Hindi Institute in Benares (Varanasi). A prolific writer and author, he has translated many books into Myanmar from Hindi and Pali, but is perhaps best known in his homeland for the novels and articles he has published.
Paragu has also been awarded several national literary awards, including the Pakokku U Ohn Pe Life-long literary award.
The library is on U Ponnya Road, North Okkalapa township. It is open from 9am and 4.30pm except on Sundays and Mondays.
Myanmar Times, December 17, 2007.