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“The film is a celebration of the University’s library, and it was commissioned by the University for the 150th year celebration. While the central library is the focal point of the film, it also travels through the various departmental libraries, both at the College Street campus as well as the other campuses,” says Vishwanathan. The film commences of with the history of the institution, which was established in 1857, for holding examinations and conferring degrees. Ironically, for the lack of a proper space, the examinations would be held at the Town Hall and the Writers’ Buildings. Gradually, the present building took shape, which was followed by the library. The latter, however, was built with grants from philanthropic zamindars like Joy Krishna Mookherjee and Ishaan Chandra.
“These are little known facts about the library and the film also traces the political upheavals in Bengal through the walls of the library, from the Independence to the Naxal movement and the demolition of the original Senate building. In fact, while shooting at th e Ballygunge Science College I chanced upon a graffiti written during the Naxal movement which had not yet been painted over,” he says. Yet, the documentary is not merely a testimony to the library’s history. Rather it also takes the viewers into the restricted sections that have some rare collections like the Piscel’s as well as Folio text of Hamlet, the Quoto text of King Lear and some of Chaucer’s works. “It’s astounding to see the collection of the library. They also have some rare 12th century manuscripts like Baru Chandidas’ Sri Krishna Kirtan as well as Prajnaparamita, something that attracts scholars from across the world.”
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