Anke Gowda is an Indian book collector and the founder of "Pustaka Mane" library in Mandya, India. He is a retired sugar factory timekeeper who once worked as a bus conductor.[1][2] During the course of his lifetime, Gowda amassed a collection of over two million books, one of the largest private collections in India.[3] His library is readily available to students, scholars, and others, and has made a "significant social impact by ensuring free access to knowledge."[4][5]
Gowda was born into a farming family in a small village called Chinakurli in Pandavapura taluk.[4] He began reading and collecting books as a child, and his collection began to become a serious occupation in his 20s. He earned a BA and a postgraduate degree in Kannada, before beginning work as a timekeeper at a local sugar factory, where he remained for nearly 30 years.[1] He invested a large portion of his salary and retirement savings in collecting books.[5]
His collection, which includes science, technology, over 5,000 dictionaries, as well as literature, mythology and philosophy, and rare books, is housed in a library called "Pustaka Mane" (House of Books) in Pandavapura municipality, Karnataka's Mandya district.[4][2] It is a purpose-built nearly 1,500 square meter building, the construction of which was funded by Hari Khoday, who also funded the relocation and renovation of a local temple. The library is open to the public.[1]
Gowda lives with his wife Vijayalakshmi, and their son in a corner of the library.[3]
Recognition
Gowda's work and commitment to making books available to the public has been recognised with various awards and honours. In 2014 he was the recipient of a Rajyotsava Award, and he is one of the 2026 Padma Shri awardees, granted "for his extraordinary contribution to promoting literacy and learning."[4][5][3][1]
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