Anke Gowda, a 75-year-old resident of Haralahalli village near Mysuru, Karnataka, has spent over five decades building one of India’s largest personal libraries, housing nearly two million books. Starting at age 20 while working as a bus conductor and later pursuing a Master’s in Kannada literature, he invested most of his income, and even sold his Mysuru property, to expand his collection.

Gowda’s library, known as Pustaka Mane (Book House), contains books in over 20 Indian and foreign languages. The collection includes half a million rare foreign books, more than 5,000 dictionaries, and manuscripts dating back to 1832. Visitors include students, researchers, civil service aspirants, and even Supreme Court judges. Access is free for all, with no membership or charges.

Thanks to industrialist Sri Hari Khoday, a large building was constructed on 22 guntas of land to house the library. Anke and his family meticulously maintain the collection daily, cleaning and organising the books despite limited staff and resources.

Born to a humble agricultural family in Mandya district, Gowda had limited access to books in his early years. At age 20, inspired by his college professor Anantharamu, he began collecting books while working as a bus conductor.

Later, while pursuing his Master’s degree and working at a sugar factory for around 30 years, he spent nearly 80% of his salary on books. His dedication was so unwavering that he sold his house in Mysuru to fund the library’s expansion. Today, Anke lives modestly with his wife Vijayalakshmi, sleeping on the floor and preparing meals in a corner of the library building.

Together with his son Sagar, they manage the collection and aim to formally organise it under the Anke Gowda Jnana Pratishthana foundation.

Despite housing one of India’s largest collections, Anke Gowda faces challenges such as insufficient staff to catalogue the vast inventory. More than 250 bags of books are still awaiting sorting. The foundation hopes to secure funding and support for digitalisation to preserve these books against natural wear.

Anke envisions the library as a hub of learning and scholarship, open to everyone, and a place where curiosity and knowledge can flourish. Both locals and tourists now see Pustaka Mane as a cultural landmark, with the continued support of family and benefactors crucial for its survival and growth.

Anke Gowda’s story demonstrates the power of passion, dedication, and generosity. At a time when digital media often overshadows traditional reading, his lifelong commitment to collecting and sharing knowledge stands as a symbol of community, inclusiveness, and education.

This library shows how individual dedication can create a lasting impact, inspiring hope and learning for generations to come.