Harini Krishnakumar and her father Krishnakumar of Thiruvanmiyur donate books to the library set up on East Mada Street near the temple tank of the Marundheshwara temple. , Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Wait for that ideal moment, when all the favorable factors come together, and you are waiting indefinitely for something that is non-existent, and at best, as rare as a parade of seven-planets. There is a lot of information hanging in the air about a small library on East Maada Street in Thiruvanmiyur, but it has been taken out of the back room and put into the public glare – and that is truly commendable. The physical design of this library raises questions about its longevity. It is made of wood and cannot be left in the open during rains. When the sky breaks, it can take shelter under a tarpaulin canopy set up mainly for two wooden benches made of discarded wood and a wooden chair.
A reading room on East Maada Street on November 21, 2025 Photo Credit: Prince Frederick
Even though the sky is clear, all is not clear for this library at night. “The library will be kept inside a local parking area at night. And will be brought back in the morning,” says Dhanya Rajagopal, who is hoping for this temporary library to become permanent and is constantly bringing rocks in the way of achieving that goal.
Dhanya, an architect and urban planner, is one of the prime movers behind Project Thiruvanmiyur Mada Street, an effort to re-imagine the Mada streets around the Marundeswara Temple. The two-day event that launched the project gave birth to the library. It is an integral part of a space next to the temple tank that will be central to the exercise of not so much transforming the place but adding a reason for people to preserve it as a social gathering point.
A statue of leader CN Annadurai is part of this place.
This place near Marundheshwara Temple Tank on East Mada Street in Thiruvanmiyur is being promoted as a social gathering place by Project Thiruvanmiyur Mada Street. , Photo Credit: Prince Frederick
“Some elements have been installed. Some pavers are required for the walk towards the gate due to waterlogging there,” says Dhanya. “Councilor Vishalakshi Kapilan immediately installed an additional spotlight for the corner of the Anna statue. Some barricades have been put up to prevent it from being taken over by unauthorized parking.”
The model under which the library will be run has not been identified yet. Currently, the exercise is driven by optimism and support from various sectors, some of which are not expected.
As expected, books are being donated by residents; The bulk of donations so far have come from two residents, Harini Krishnamurthy and her father Krishnamurthy.
Small beginnings. The place consists of two wooden benches and a wooden chair. , Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
What is encouraging is the support from local businesses. Dhanya explains: “During the two-day event, many people helped like House of Annapurna and Naturals Salon, who let the volunteers use the restrooms and also gave coupons. Then there were the Deshi Tiffin outlets who allowed us to refill water from their herbal water dispensers. We really want to highlight the importance of local businesses.”
And with such goodwill, Dhanya hopes the library and other community-driven initiatives will become stronger and more sustainable.
published – November 24, 2025 08:04 am IST