Mohammad Ali Library in Kolkata

A superb collection of Urdu works, including translations of the Ramayana and Tagore’s Gitanjali, might have disappeared had it not been for Mohammed Khalil, finds our correspondent
Mohammed Safi Shamsi

Kolkata, August 20: Reading the Ramayana in Urdu may sound interesting. What about Tagore’s Gitanjali and works on the Buddhist religion?

Well, this precious collection of books printed in Urdu sometime in the beginning of the 20th century, would have disappeared by now had one man not spent his “cream years” on their upkeep.

Advertisement
Mohammed Khalil, general secretary of the Mohammed Ali Library at 6A Kanai Seal Street (near Colootola Street) where this literary treasure has been well-preserved for decades, supervises the stupendous effort.

“The library was established in 1930 and was later named after freedom fighter Mohammed Ali Jouhar. At that point, literary works of great writers and poets used to be readily translated into other languages.

Many popular books like the Ramayana and Geetanjali have been translated into Urdu. We have most of them at our library,” Khalil informed Newsline. Khalil has been passionately attached to the library since 1966.

Over the years he has not only worked to preserve the library but has also spent money from his own pocket in collecting more rare publications.

“He devoted time and energy. Some books have come as donations. For others, the library has had to pay. One of the collections we acquired was a set of copies of the Awadh Panch, the nation’s second-oldest Urdu newspaper.

Khalil spent Rs 10,000 from his own pocket,” says Aftab Ahmad Khan, assistant general secretary of the library. He, too, has spent 16 long years at the library, assisting Khalil.

The library would have lost its collection, sooner or later, had it not been for a handful of exceptionally dedicated individuals.

Political activists and “businessmen-philanthropists” often try to make their way into literary circles through the back door.

“We need funds and space. However, it is better to preserve the collection from our own efforts than to see the library’s books being sold,” says Khan.

In spite of better “offers” and a busy schedule, Khalil has kept himself associated with the library for 39 long years.

Like his assistant Khan, Khalil gets nothing in return — except the satisfaction of keeping the collection safe from “greedy hands”.

As and when the well-wishers are approached, they make contributions. Khalil and Khan are occasionally occupied in raising funds for the library. All India Mushairas (poetry sessions) and souvenirs help in some funding. But more is needed.

At present, the free reading room draws hundreds of readers every month. Researchers and students of Indian history and culture, Persian and Arabic literature also find the place useful.

“We now have our own website. A researchers’ corner will be carved out in the library hall. But what we need is more dedicated people like Khalil Sahib, who work without selfish motives,” says Khan.

“I avoid the media, as people may refer to it as show-off. The library is a source of information for thousands of people in the city. If younger generations are benefited, my labour won’t go in vain,” adds Khalil.


http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=144823