Written by Aditi Dubey
Located on Maharaj Nandakumar Road in Lake Market, near Kalighat, a small but heartwarming initiative has brought new life to Kolkata’s love for reading. On November 4, 2024, a “Little Free Library” was placed just outside Roy Bari, the historic Roy House established in 1942. The home belongs to the descendants of Maharaja Nandakumar, who was appointed dewan of Burdwan, Nadia and Hooghly by the East India Company in 1764, and who was wrongly charged with forgery and hanged on August 5, 1775.
Today, his descendant Rukmini Roy Basu, along with her husband and daughter, carries forward a legacy of sharing knowledge and kindness from within the family home.
How a Love for Books Turned Into a Public Library
The idea was born from Mrs. Rukmini’s deep affection for books. “I, precisely, wanted people to read more books. Well, today’s generation don’t actually read many books, they are more into videos and audiobooks, so I just thought it could be a nice way to revive reading, and there are also many children nearby in this area who are likely to not have access to reading books because it’s very expensive these days. So why not share it,” she explained.
What began as a small experiment has already exceeded her expectations. “A lot of people – including adults, children and elderly people, have come forward to read and donate books, it is really heartwarming. I never thought it would be so successful.”
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Her love for reading goes back to her travels, where books were constant companions on trains, flights, and even in coffee shops. That personal bond with reading led her to open up her collection to the community. “My house is full of books – what is the use if I cannot share them with people?” she said.
A Neighborhood Hub for Stories and Smiles
In just a short time, the Little Free Library has transformed into a lively hub for readers of all ages. Adults, children, and senior citizens often stop by – sometimes to donate, sometimes to take home a title, and sometimes to simply browse. Requests are varied, ranging from Bengali novels and travelogues to nostalgic childhood favorites.
The shelves are frequently replenished by the Roy family, offering titles such as 2 States by Chetan Bhagat, Man, Woman and Child by Erich Segal, Bharati Nivedita by Malti Guha Ray, Ruskin Bond’s Children’s Omnibus, and Huff and Puff Have Too Much Stuff by Rabe and Tish. One memorable moment left Mrs. Rukmini laughing: “There was this one boy who donated his homework because he didn’t want to do it. We returned it, of course, but I found it so sweet and hilarious.”
A Family Effort With Community Spirit
The library is not just Rukmini’s dream, but a family effort. Her husband and young daughter actively help in arranging and dusting the shelves. Books they read together often make their way onto the stand, creating a cycle of shared joy. Recently, her daughter’s copy of Malory Towers brought delight to both children and older visitors alike.
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While Mrs. Rukmini’s personal taste leans toward thrillers and crime fiction, she cherishes watching the library’s shelves reflect the community’s diverse reading preferences. “It is lovely to see people placing their own books,” she reflected. To her, this initiative is not only about exchanging books but also about building connections and reviving the joy of reading in an age dominated by screens.
And this may just be the beginning. “I hope to do it in some other areas too, if I can,” she added, hinting at a future where more neighborhoods might get their own little corner of shared stories.
(Aditi Dubey is an intern with The Theorist)
