The library, named Pustaka Mane, is located at Gowda’s residence in Haralahalli village. From the outside, the structure appears unassuming, but inside it opens into a vast repository of knowledge that spans languages, religions, histories, and literary traditions from across the world. The award will be presented on January 25, on the eve of Republic Day.
Gowda’s collection includes rare and ancient texts such as the Puranas, Upanishads, and the Quran, along with historical volumes that are 200 to 300 years old. The library holds over 5,000 dictionaries in multiple languages, more than 3,000 editions each of the Ramayana and Mahabharata, and around 2,500 books dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi. Works by Nobel laureates, Sahitya Akademi awardees, and Jnanpith recipients also form a significant part of the collection.
Several organisations, including the Limca Book of World Records, have acknowledged the scale and uniqueness of Pustaka Mane. Visitors and scholars from across the country regularly visit the library, which has become a landmark for literature enthusiasts.
Gowda’s journey, however, was marked by modest means. He began his working life as a bus conductor and later spent nearly three decades employed at a sugar factory. Throughout his career, he devoted nearly 80% of his salary to purchasing books. At one stage, he sold property in Mysuru to fund the expansion of his collection.
Due to financial constraints, Gowda continues to maintain the library largely on his own. He lives inside the library premises with his wife and son, sleeping on the floor amid towering stacks of books. Meals are prepared in a small corner of the library, reflecting the family’s simple lifestyle and commitment to preserving the collection.
Gowda spends most of his day reading, cataloguing, and caring for the books, driven by a belief that knowledge must be preserved and shared. With the Padma Shri recognition, his decades-long effort has moved from a personal passion to a nationally celebrated contribution, highlighting the enduring value of literature in an increasingly digital age.
