Unique book discussion model in Payyannur can leave you enamoured with reading

Payyannur and neighbouring areas in Kerala’s Kannur district have been regularly witnessing a series of unique get-togethers lately - that of hundreds of book lovers gathering in various houses to discuss books. Leading writers in Malayalam also attend many of these meetings. After these weekly get-togethers - where children, youths and elderly people actively take part in the discussions on books - everyone realizes that reading is the biggest addiction.

The programme, ‘Vayanayam’ (Reading journey), organised by Payyannur Taluk Library Council, has been such an overwhelming success that 15,000 books have been discussed over the last six months, and around six lakh people have attended the discussions!

At these events, those who have read the book to be discussed speak about their impressions on the work. Some others who also read the book would present their point of view. Meanwhile, those who did not read the book would make plans to purchase it. In short, the reading habit blooms in these gatherings.

Why read?
“Many people ask, why read a novel or story?” said noted speaker and writer Sunil P Elayidom.
“There is no apparent benefit in reading a book. But, a novel or story releases you from yourself. All of us are confined to a narrow space in life - we are limited by place and time. Most people are born, live and pass away in a particular place. At the same time, the lives and experiences of humankind are infinite. Books are an invitation, leading us to this infinite experience,” explained Elayidom.

The residents of 11 panchayats and a municipality in Payyannur realised this truth, which led six lakh book lovers among them to spend several hours at the Vayanayam programmes. Conducted in the evenings, the events are marked by the sight of people devoting their time entirely to books, even keeping mobile phones away.

All libraries in Kerala receive financial aid from the government. However, the books purchased with the funds are mostly stocked on shelves, and are rarely taken out to read. While the number of bookshelves in libraries has been increasing, their membership has remained the same. People in Payyannur, realising that this was an undesirable trend that could prove a major setback to the renowned library movement in Kerala, launched online readers’ forums during the time of the COVID-19 pandemic, to conduct discussions on books. The big response to these online discussions led to the get-togethers in houses after the pandemic.

The areas covered by the Payyannur Taluk Library Council include the villages of Eramam Kuttoor, Kankol Alappadambu, Karivellur Peralam, Ramanthaly, Kunjimangalam, Madayi, Ezhom, Cheruthazham, Kadannappally Panappuzha, Cherupuzha and Peringome Vayakkara, and the Payyannur Municipality. There are 250 libraries in these localities and under each library, 10 houses were selected to conduct the discussions on books. Every house has a chairman and a convenor. With one book discussed during each meeting, 2,500 books are discussed in 2,500 houses every month. As a result, 15,000 books were discussed in the six months from September to February.

An announcement is made regarding the book to be discussed 10 days before the event. The house hosting the discussion need not be the same every time – it could be different each month. The event starts at 7 pm, with the welcome address by the householder. A person who read the book will then introduce it to the gathering, and others who also read it will reveal their opinions on the work. A discussion on the topic of the book also could follow. “Some of these discussions have lasted till 11 pm,” said Library Council secretary K Sivakumar.

All activities are coordinated by an organising committee with Payyannur MLA T I Madhusoodanan as chairman and Sivakumar as general convenor. Residents of the house hosting the discussion serve tea and snacks to the gathering. While the organisers had anticipated gatherings of around 30 people, over 100 book lovers have been attending every event. They include students as well as octogenarians.

“I took part in a discussion on my novel ‘Allohalan’ at Karivellur Palam, where I noticed a lady aged above 80 among the gathering. She was present during the entire duration of the discussion that lasted two-and-a-half hours. It was a pleasant surprise,” said writer Ambikasuthan Mangad.

Mangad participated in 12 ‘Vayanayanam’ events, and all of them attracted a big audience. “My eyes were filled with tears, witnessing the love for books displayed by children and adults,” he said.

During one event, it suddenly started to rain. “Immediately, everyone moved indoors and continued the discussion. The involvement of the participants was so deep that the sound of rain outside hardly affected the deliberations inside the house. Kerala, especially its youth, should draw inspiration from Vayanayanam. Everyone will realise that no addiction will give them as great a kick as reading, and flock to such gatherings. Moreover, an avid reader can never resort to violence. Such a person will consider another viewpoint as music to his ears. I believe reading should be encouraged to enable Kerala to come out of its present mess,” said Mangad.

Almost all contemporary writers in Kerala have participated in Vayanayanam. Those who made multiple appearances include C V Balakrishnan, Ambikasuthan Mangad, Kalpetta Narayanan, Sunil P Elayidom and E P Rajagopalan. Twenty-five leading authors introduced 25 classics at ‘Lokamudrakal’, a programme on world classics. Writer N S Madhavan inaugurated ‘Uriyattam’, another programme. A highlight of Vayanayam events where authors take part is the disappearance of the wall between a writer and the reader.

During a Vayanayam event at Shenoy Memorial Government Higher Secondary School in Payyannur, the students presented 1,500 books which they read during the Christmas holidays. The programme was conducted on 31 venues in the school. The libraries in Payyannur are now glowing under the light of knowledge, and the ills plaguing the state could be resolved to some extent by spreading this light all around.