Case Study: Perumkulam - Kerala's First Book Village
Introduction Perumkulam, a serene village in Kerala, has earned the unique distinction of being the state’s first book village. Recognized for its deep-rooted literary culture, Perumkulam (also known as Pusthakagramam) stands as a testament to the power of books and the transformative potential of literature in community development. M. T. Vasudevan Nair, a legendary Malayalam writer, acknowledged this remarkable transformation, further cementing its place in Kerala’s cultural landscape. Perumkulam was officially declared as Kerala’s first book village by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in 2021. Background Situated 5 km from Kottarakkara, Perumkulam is located along the historic Veluthampi Dalawa Road. It was once a typical Kerala village, thriving on agriculture and traditional livelihoods. However, a collective vision to integrate books into everyday life has redefined its identity. The idea was simple yet powerful: make books accessible to all, instilling a culture of r...