Minister promises steps to improve infrastructure of Sarasvati Mahal Library

School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi inspecting the Sarasvati Mahal Library in Thanjavur on Sunday. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi has promised steps to improve the infrastructure of the famous Sarasvati Mahal Library in Thanjavur.

Mr. Mahesh, who inspected the library along with the District Collector Priyanka Pankajam on Sunday, told presspersons that the Collector, who is the director of the library, had proposed certain infrastructure requirements for the institution situated in the Thanjavur Palace complex.

Pointing out that the library was a treasurehouse of palm manuscripts and other material, Mr. Mahesh described it as a pride of Tamil Nadu. “It is our duty to protect and preserve it. We are regularly taking up development works here and more needs to be done. We want to ensure there is no seepage in the library building. We have sought a report from the Public Works Department too,” he said.

The Minister said the Collector had made certain proposals, including construction of a new building and he would take it up with Chief Minister M.K. Stalin for approval. S. Sudarshan, Librarian, Sarasvati Mahal Library, was present.

Sarasvati Mahal is one of the few medieval libraries in existence in the world. It houses a vast collection of manuscripts, maps, paintings, and ancient books.

Repair works were expected to be taken up soon to arrest rainwater seepage in the main hall of the library. Besides, construction of two new buildings to house the printing press and the digitised manuscripts section, with necessary equipment, had been proposed, sources added.

Published - June 02, 2025 06:34 pm IST