Harini Krishnakumar and her father Krishnakumar from Thiruvanmiyur donate books to the library set up on East Mada Street near the temple tank of Marundheeshwarar temple.
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Wait for that perfect moment, when all favourable factors are in alignment, and you are waiting indefinitely for something that is non-existent, and at best rare, as rare as a seven-planet parade . A horde of details about a tiny little library at East Mada Street in Thiruvanmiyur are hanging in the air, but is has been pulled out of the back room, and thrust into the glare of public attention — and that is indeed commendable. This library’s physical design raises questions about its longevity. It is wooden and cannot be left in the open during rains. When the skies tear up, it can scoot to the shelter of a tarpaulin canopy installed primarily for two wooden benches made of discarded wood and a wooden chair.
A reading nook at East Mada Street on November 21, 2025.
| Photo Credit:
PRINCE FREDERICK
Even if the skies are clear, it is not all-clear for this library at night. “The library will be kept back inside a local’s parking area in the night. And brought back in the morning,” says Dhanya Rajagopal, who is hoping for this temporary library to become a permanent one and rolling away ever boulder in the way of achieving that goal.
Dhanya, architect and urban planner, is among the prime movers behind Project Thiruvanmiyur Mada Street, an effort to reimagine the Mada streets around Marundeeshwarar temple. The two-day event launching the Project birthed the library. It is integral to a space next to the temple tank that would be the nucleus of an exercise to not so much change the space as add a reason to it for people to patronise it as a social congregating point.
A statue of leader C.N. Annadurai is part of this space.
This space on East Mada Street in Thiruvanmiyur near the Marundheeswarar temple tank is being promoted as a social congregating point by Project Thiruvanmiyur Mada Street.
| Photo Credit:
PRINCE FREDERICK
“Some elements are set up . Some pavers are needed for walking towards the gate because of water logging there,” says Dhanya. “Councillor Visalakshi Kapilan immediately set up an additional spotlight for the corner of Anna Statue. Some barricades have been placed to prevent it from being taken over by unauthorised parking.”
The model by which the library would be run is yet to be identified. At present, the exercise is powered by optimism and support from various quarters, some not expected.
As expected, books are being donated by residents; the lion’s share of the donation so far has been from two residents, Harini Krishnamurthy and her father Krishnamurthy.
Small beginnings. The space which includes two wooden benches and a wooden chair.
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement
Encouragingly enough, there is support from local businesses. Dhanya explains: “There are a whole lot of people who helped during the two-day event such as House of Annapoorna and Naturals Salon who let volunteers use the restrooms and also gave coupons. Then there was native tiffin outlets that allowed us to fill water from their herbal water dispenser. We really want to highlight the importance of local businesses.”
And with such goodwill, Dhanya expects the library and other community-driven initiatives to become more robust and permanent.
Published – November 24, 2025 08:04 am IST
