IIM Kozhikode and Kozhikode Municipal Corporation Open ‘Arivu’ Reading Lounge to Celebrate City’s UNESCO City of Literature Tag

14th Oct 2024

• A Free Space for Knowledge and Community in Kozhikode’s Municipal Office
• ‘Arivu’ is a second initiative as such by IIMK, after it had first collaborated with AAI Calicut to open ‘Gyan Pankh’ at Calicut Airport.

Visitors to the Kozhikode Municipal Corporation office will now have the chance to immerse themselves in the joy of reading, thanks to a unique partnership between the Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode (IIMK) and Kozhikode Municipal Corporation. The two institutions have launched ‘Arivu’, a free reading lounge, designed to elevate Kozhikode’s status as a UNESCO-recognized ‘City of Literature.’

Following the success of ‘Gyan Pankh’, a similar initiative at Calicut Airport earlier this year, ‘Arivu’ aims to make reading a public, accessible, and joyous experience. The lounge was inaugurated today by Dr. Beena Philip, Mayor of Kozhikode, and Prof. Debashis Chatterjee, Director of IIM Kozhikode, in the presence of civic and academic leaders.

This initiative reflects a shared commitment to enriching Kozhikode’s literary culture and reinforcing its identity as India’s only UNESCO City of Literature. The lounge, named ‘Arivu’, meaning ‘Knowledge,’ offers a collection of over 500 books across various genres and languages, with 80% of the collection in Malayalam to encourage vernacular reading. IIM Kozhikode, which conceptualized the space, worked closely with the Corporation to transform the office’s ground floor into a cozy, inviting reading nook, free for the public to use.

Mayor Dr. Beena Philip praised IIM Kozhikode for spearheading this initiative, stating, “Reading should become a movement that brings communities together. Efforts like these breathe life into a city, fostering a love for learning and creating a culture of good citizenship. I encourage all visitors to make use of this wonderful facility.”

Prof. Debashis Chatterjee emphasized the broader vision behind the lounge: “The true wealth of a nation lies in its knowledge. By creating ‘Arivu’, we aim to spark a literary movement, contributing to Kozhikode’s global reputation as a hub for learning and wisdom. Reading unlocks critical thinking and fuels the imagination, and this partnership is a step toward creating lasting value for the community.”

Dr. Appasaheb Naikal, Librarian at IIM Kozhikode, highlighted the greater purpose of encouraging ‘Reading’ as a habit in the thoughtful design of the lounge, which caters to a wide audience who will be visiting the Kozhikode Corporation Office. The collection has been curated for a lighter, more accessible reading experience, making it enjoyable for everyone. The space is adorned with a mural celebrating the city’s literary giants, including MT Vasudevan Nair, Vaikom Muhammad Basheer, P. Valsala, and SK Pottekkatt. The lounge also features the ‘Ten Commandments of Reading,’ aimed at inspiring good reading habits among visitors.

‘Arivu’ is open to the public during the Kozhikode Municipal Corporation’s working hours. IIM Kozhikode plans to expand the collection to 750 books in the coming weeks, ensuring a rich, diverse, and inclusive literary experience for the city’s residents.