Dr. Prithvi Nath Kaula

Padma Shree Prof. Prithvi Nath Kaul (Commonly known as P.N. Kaula in the Library Profession) was born in a lower middle class family at Haba Kadal Srinagar Kashmir on March 13, 1924.

Prof. Kaula started his career as a Librarian in DAV College, Srinagar and had returned after receiving training from Prof. (Dr.) S.R. Rangnathan. He transformed his mission of life and started a campaign for Library development in the J&K state-May 1946-August 1947. He unlocked the almirahas of books and kept Library open upto 6 p.m. He wrote and published (108) articles in the State Press- “Khidmet”, “Hamdard”, “Desh”, “Nav Yug”, “Ranbir”, “Chand” and “Kashmir Chroncle”. He drafted the scheme for the Library Development of J&K State as well. He wrote a small book: “Kashmir me Ilmi Inqlab”.

He laid down the mission of his life in the following Urdu couplet:

“Har Raz Ko Bay Niqab Karna Hai Mujay Har Zara ko Aftab Karna Hai Mujay

Gareeb Jahil Bay Bus Logoo Ko Ilm Say Baar Yaab Karna Hai Mujay”

(Prof. Kaula)

“I have to unfold the secrets of the world: I have to transform every atom into a sun: To the poor, ignorant and down trodden people I have to enlighten them with knowledge”.

He wrote and published poems on education and Libraries.

He was invited by the then Vice-Chancellor to draft the plan of the Jammu and Kashmir University Library and also prepared a Library Development Plan of the Sri Pratap Public Library at the invitation of the then Education Commissioner.

In 1947, he received an order from Birla Education Trust, Pilani appointing him the Librarian in lecturer’s scale and joined there. Later on, he joined Delhi University Library as Junior Library Assistant leaving the post of Librarian that was in higher scale. It was simply to work and learn from Prof. Dr. S.R. Rangnathan who was at that time in Delhi University. Prof. Kaula took this risk leaving the higher post. From Delhi University, he rose to higher positions. Though Prof. Kaula spent most of his life outside Kashmir, but he could not afford to forget his land of birth. While remaining outside, Kashmir was always in his mind. He used to come Kashmir off and on. He depicted its scenic beauty, cultural heritage and secular nature of its in habitants through his writings.

Prof. P.N.Kaula was very close to late Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah. The State of Jammu and Kashmir would have enacted Library bill / act and the Library development plan prepared by Prof. Kaula and submitted to the then Prime Minister late Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah in 1951. Unfortunately political developments changed the priorities in the state. The then Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah had agreed to enact Library act, but before it could be done, his ministry was dismissed in 1953. Later when he became the Chief Minister in 1975, he immediately appointed a Committee vide Govt. order No. 1867 GD of 1975 dated 18-09-1975 to go into working of the Department of Libraries & Research and also to recommended improvements which were necessary to run the Department on Scientific lines

He was honoured by several awards for his contributions in the field of Library and Information Science at National / International level viz Padmashri Award (India) Gold Medal- Mundi Beneficio Medal (Brazil), Deutsche Bucherei Medal (Germany), Commemorative Medal of Honour (USA).

The Times Library supplement, London (UK) has described Prof. Kaula “one of the most influential Librarians in the world”. There will be hardly any country Prof. Kaula had not visited. He lectured in (27) countries and lectured in over (50) Universities including America, UK, France, Germany, Brazil, Spain, Canada.

International Prof. Kaula Festschrift volume has been published in honour of Prof. P.N.Kaula on his 50th birth day in 1974. The eminent contributions to this volume have rightly acclaimed him as a person of meritorious achievements.

He has authored 60 plus Books / Monographs, 6 Professional journals (Founder-Editor), Over 400 scholarly papers, over 400 reviews, 43 Bibliographies and 6000 notes.

In India we have Prof. Kaula Endowment for Library And Information Science formed on 13th March, 1975, the birthday of Prof. Kaula and its Head Office is at Guntur (Andhra Pradesh). The Endowment has decided to award “Prof. Kaula Gold Medal and Citation” to a person who distinguished himself as a Librarian.

He was honoured with Padma Shree in 2004