Saidapet Library Founder K. Mahalingam Passes Away

Quick Summary

• K. Mahalingam, founder of the Mahatma Gandhi Nool Nilayam in Saidapet, Chennai, passed away on August 5, 2025, at the age of 96 due too age-related ailments.
• He is survived by two sons; his son M. Nithyanandham currently manages the library.
• Inspired by Mahatma Gandhi and the freedom movement, Mr. mahalingam had seen Gandhiji during his visit to the Hindi Prachar Sabha in Chennai in 1946.
• The library began with just 25 books stored in a wooden trunk and was founded in a small rented room in Saidapet in 1952.
• The library later expanded into an important cultural hub for writers and readers. A new building for the library was inaugurated in 2024.

Indian Opinion Analysis

K. Mahalingam’s life reflects how grassroots efforts can contribute substantially to cultural preservation and intellectual growth. His establishment of the Mahatma Gandhi Nool Nilayam demonstrates how small beginnings can grow into vital community institutions through dedication and vision rooted in Gandhian ideals. Libraries like these serve not only as repositories of knowledge but also as spaces fostering dialog among writers and readers-a critical need for any democratic society.

The expansion of this institution as recently as 2024 underscores its ongoing relevance for local communities even decades after its inception. As india continues advancing technologically, sustaining libraries such as this ensures access to traditional learning resources while honoring ancient figures like Gandhiji who inspire collective progress.

Read More: The Hindu