Padma Shri Awardee M Anke Gowda Calls for Preserving Kannada and Book Culture

Padma Shri awardee M Anke Gowda has urged people to preserve Kannada language and reading culture while expanding Pusthak Mane's collection of over 20 lakh books.
on Jun 15, 2026

Padma Shri awardee and founder of Pusthak Mane (Book House), M Anke Gowda, has appealed to people to preserve the Kannada language and cultivate a stronger reading culture, stressing that books are essential for protecting cultural identity and passing knowledge to future generations.

Speaking at an interaction programme organised by the GB Joshi Memorial Trust at Manohara Grantha Mala in Dharwad, Gowda said every Kannadiga should take pride in the state's language, literature, and cultural heritage.

"People should sincerely teach their children and future generations about Karnataka's ancient literature, culture, and language," he said, adding that while learning other languages is important, one should never lose touch with the mother tongue.

A Lifetime Dedicated to Books

For more than five decades, Gowda has been building one of India's remarkable private book collections through Pusthak Mane in Haralahalli. He revealed that he has spent the last 54 years collecting books, with the vision of creating a single place where the world's knowledge can be preserved and shared.

Today, the collection has grown to more than 20 lakh books, attracting researchers, students, scholars, and book lovers from across the country.

According to Gowda, the library has become a space where thousands of visitors have explored rare literary treasures and benefited from its extensive holdings.

Preserving Literary Heritage

The vast collection at Pusthak Mane includes several rare and historically significant works. Among its notable holdings are:

More than 2,500 editions of the Bhagavad Gita

Around 3,500 editions of the Ramayana

Nearly 2,500 books on Mahatma Gandhi

Over 10,000 books that are more than a century old

The library also houses rare publications in multiple languages, reflecting India's rich literary and cultural diversity.

Reading Habits Begin in Childhood

Gowda emphasised that encouraging children to read is essential for preserving both language and cultural values.

He noted that books help young readers understand their heritage and develop a deeper appreciation for society and tradition. According to him, neglecting reading habits among children could make it increasingly difficult to sustain regional languages in the future.

His message comes at a time when educators and publishing professionals are increasingly advocating for stronger reading cultures amid the rapid growth of digital media.

A Call to Protect Books

Highlighting the importance of preserving printed knowledge, Gowda appealed to the public and donors to support the conservation of valuable books and manuscripts.

He expressed his willingness to accept book donations and assured that proper arrangements could always be made to preserve them.

"I need nothing for myself or my family. All assistance should be directed towards preserving books," he said, reinforcing his lifelong commitment to safeguarding literary heritage.

Why It Matters

M Anke Gowda's work reflects the enduring importance of libraries and personal archives in protecting regional languages and cultural memory. As conversations around reading habits and language preservation continue across India, initiatives like Pusthak Mane demonstrate how individual efforts can contribute to the larger mission of safeguarding literary traditions.

For the publishing community, librarians, educators, and readers, Gowda's message serves as a reminder that preserving books is not only about protecting the past but also about inspiring future generations to value knowledge and culture.