“There is a huge signboard at the top of the building that you can see if you cross the street,” P Raman, 59, who is president of the library, tells FMT during a recent visit.
True enough, if you were to crane your neck – there it is, the blue signboard, Muthamizh Padippagam although still a little lost in the hustle and bustle of Sentul.
You would need to watch your step as you navigate the steep staircase to the first floor where bright lights adorn the entrance to the library. Inside, a kind-looking receptionist will welcome you in.
She is surrounded by books neatly stacked on shelves, the more delicate ones tucked safely away behind glass panes. There are long tables with chairs where visitors can settle down comfortably with a good book.
Raman points to a gold-framed photograph hanging on the wall, and explains that the library was established on April 14, 1958 by 19 ambitious Indians who worked on the railways in Sentul.
“Originally from India, they had a discussion and came up with the idea to open a library. So, they found a small place in Jalan Ipoh for a monthly rental of $22.50,” he says.
But over time, they outgrew the space as their stock of books grew larger. That’s how they came to be in Jalan Sentul in 1974, Raman says, raising the funds needed so they could settle the higher rental here.
“Selected members would actually travel from house to house during Thaipusam and Deepavali asking for funds. They even held special movie nights.”
According to Raman, the library currently holds 22,858 Tamil books by various authors from all over the world and 2,008 books penned by local authors.
“We are currently in the process of launching an e-library to enable easier access to our books. So far, we have worked through 600 books from Malaysian authors.”
If you’re proficient in reading Tamil and are looking for suitable reading material or simply want to sharpen your comprehension and understanding of the language, then do make a trip to this library.
Over here, you will find books covering the genres of religion, literature, poetry, science, fiction and history.
There are also autobiographies of renowned world leaders such as Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India and APJ Abdul Kalam, former president of India.
“We were honoured to have the Indian High Commissioner visit us in 2019 and donate 19 books written by Abdul Kalam.
“We also have some very old books, those that are even out of print in India itself,” Raman says, beaming with pride.
He explains that membership costs only RM50 and once a member, you are entitled to borrow a book for two whole weeks.
If you’re not keen on becoming a member, you can still visit the library and read the books while there. Only remember to return the book to the shelves before you leave.
Raman says the library has 810 members and can easily accommodate between 50 to 60 people at any one time.
It’s 7pm already but there seems to be no end to the number of visitors streaming in for a look-see or to catch a few minutes of reading. A student dressed in batik walks in, looks over some reading material and leaves with the book in hand.
“We have many university students who come here for research purposes especially for their thesis – we even have students all the way from Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) in Tanjong Malim, Perak.
“There are also three Tamil schools in the vicinity so we do get quite a number of students. Last week, some parents brought their kids here to research characters for a school play.”
Raman himself only discovered Muthamizh Padippagam 17 years ago through a friend. He tells FMT that after one visit, he was so taken with the place that he would visit the library religiously every Sunday from 11am to 1pm.
Could he have read all the 22,858 books by now? He laughs heartily before confessing that he’s very likely only read about 400 books so far.
“We are currently in the midst of approaching parents and schools to allow the students from nearby schools to study here once a week. We are also in talks with an association who proposed the idea of a mobile library.”
Raman smiles, recalling the words of a friend who said libraries would soon become irrelevant to society as books were now accessible to all through their phones and computers.
Raman wholly disagrees, saying, “I believe a library will continuously play an important role in our education and I can definitely see Muthamizh Padippagam flourishing and serving Malaysians for many years to come.”
Interested? You can check out the library’s Facebook page for more information and updates or drop by for a visit.
Muthamizh Padippagam
788, Jalan Sentul
Sentul
Kuala Lumpur
Operating hours:
3pm-9pm (Monday to Friday)
11am-1pm and 3pm-8pm (Sunday)
Closed on Saturday