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  A Tribute to Books, Knowledge, and Perumkulam’s Identity One evening, Team Bappuji called me for a discussion about planning a year-long program following the announcement of Perumkulam as Pusthakagramam . The idea was to organize one event or program each month, leading up to a significant milestone in the 12th month—an installation that would symbolize the identity of Pusthakagramam . As we brainstormed, I instinctively reached for books from the library and began stacking them, shaping a basic structure right in the middle of our discussion. It was an unplanned moment, but the symbolism was undeniable—books, knowledge, and a shelter of wisdom. The team immediately resonated with the concept, and we decided to move forward with it. That night, I returned home and used books from my father’s collection—Dr. K Ravi Varma, an avid reader—to refine the first look of what would eventually become Pusthakappura . It was a deeply personal process, and in many ways, it felt like I was ca...

  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...