President Murmu Unveils Granth Kutir to Celebrate India’s Literary Heritage

On January 23, 2024, President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the Granth Kutir at Rashtrapati Bhavan, an initiative aimed at raising awareness of India’s rich cultural and literary heritage. This new facility allows visitors to explore a diverse collection of manuscripts and books, showcasing the country’s extensive literary accomplishments.

The Granth Kutir houses approximately 2,300 works across eleven classical languages, including Tamil, Sanskrit, Kannada, Telugu, Malayalam, Odia, Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese, and Bengali. This extensive collection covers a wide range of subjects from epics and philosophy to history and science, as well as devotional literature and the Constitution of India in these languages. Among the items displayed are around 50 manuscripts, many of which are handwritten on traditional materials such as palm leaves, paper, bark, and cloth.

Collaboration and Cultural Significance

The establishment of Granth Kutir is a collaborative effort involving the central and state governments, universities, research institutions, cultural organizations, and individual donors from across the nation. Support for this initiative has come from the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Culture, with the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) providing expertise in managing, conserving, documenting, and displaying the manuscripts.

This initiative was launched to commemorate India’s classical languages. On October 3, 2024, the Government of India granted classical language status to Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese, and Bengali. Prior to this, six languages already held this esteemed designation. The Granth Kutir stands as a testament to the country’s commitment to preserving and promoting its linguistic heritage.

The inauguration of the Granth Kutir aligns with the broader goal of enhancing public knowledge about India’s diverse cultural, philosophical, literary, and intellectual legacies. Visitors to Rashtrapati Bhavan will now have the opportunity to engage with these invaluable resources, enriching their understanding of India’s historical and contemporary narratives.

Through this initiative, the Government of India seeks to foster a greater appreciation for the literary treasures that have shaped the nation’s identity. The Granth Kutir is not only a repository of knowledge but also a celebration of the country’s enduring cultural legacy.