A Tribute to IIWC (Indian Institute of World Culture)

IIWC: an aerial view
Indian Institute of World Culture houses a large library, sponsors many regular programs of talks, musical recitals, seminars. And, it has a substantial publishing program of books, transactions and pamphlets in addition to its regular monthly bulletin. The IIWC is located at No. 6, North Public Square Rd. The buldings include a lecture hall, the Wiiliam Quan Judge Hostel for students, a Library, and other buildings. All activities of the IIWC are conducted here. In 1959, following Mr. Wadia's death. On 20th August 1958, North Public Square Road was renamed by the Bangalore Municipality as B. P. Wadia Road.

William Quan Judge Cosmopolitan Home
'William Quan Judge Cosmopolitan Home' is a place where students could live inexpensively while studying at local educational institutions. The chief aim in this regard, was to promote inter-cultural exchange and universal brotherhood with no distinctions of any kind being made. Every evening in the main hall of the Hostel a devotional meeting is held with readings from the texts of the great world philosophers and prophets.

Library: a world of books
The various styles of painting, architecture, art, thought, speech or writing, inscribed on paper, even on wood, in print, by hand or in pictures, in hardbound volumes or paperbacks, musty or new, they're there in this rare temple of books. These books are well-loved, have won many a battle on the mites of destruction, and have thrilled several generations of scholars and book-lovers. The library that houses these priceless treasures is the 62-year-old Indian Institute of World Culture.

The building that houses the Indian Institute of World Culture is rather humble. But every book in its 62-year-old library has an interesting story to tell.

The institute maintains a General Library of over 40,000 volumes, to satisfy one of the needs of the community. A separate Children's Library has been established for the younger generation. Both these have become very popular and useful over the years. Its Magazine Section regularly receives over 400 periodicals.

The library includes a general library, an exclusive library for children, a magazine section, and Behanan's Library. This library is the pride of the Institute and is a major landmark in Bangalore. It was started in 1945 by B.P. Wadia with the philosophy of "make available to all... nuggets of knowledge... " Distinguished personalities such as Martin Luther King Jr., Prof Arnold J. Toynbee, C. Rajagopalachari, Prof. Julian Huxely, Dr. Radhakrishnan, Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar have visited the library.

"We have for our members, some of Bangalore's best writers" says Y.M. Balakrishna,the Secretary of the Institute. Some lead hectic lives and don't come regularly. There are others who call up and ask for reference material which we keep for them." The 2600 members are varied and range from five to 90 years of age, he says.

Part of this priceless collection is the oldest edition of the Brittanica, the photo album of the Mysore Maharaja's wedding on June 6, 1900, Katha Saritha Sagar of Somadeva, a store house of Indian mythological stories, of Ayurveda Charaka Samhita, English translation of Yogavasishta Maharamayana by Valmiki... the list is endless.

Sparkling Events
For the achieving of the ideals of IIWC, public lectures are regularly organized on relevant and contemporary topics. These are blended with programs of music and dance to enrich the cultural life. On an average, one hundred and fifty programs are organized yearly, with not less than two programme each week. Some of the lectures have been reprinted as "Transactions of the Institute" for wider dissemination. Ninety-three such Transactions have been issued so far. Each month's programme is given advance publicity in the monthly Bulletin of the Institute. Every art, culture, religion, and philosophy is given a voice through a range of programmes conducted through the year, says the Secretary of the Institute, Y.M. Balakrishna.

Distinguished Visitors
Among the many distinguished scholars who have honoured the Institute by their visits, special mention could be made of Sir C P Ramaswamy Ayiar, Prof. Julian Huxley, Prof . Arnold Toynbee, Shri C Rajagopalachari, Dr. Radhakrishnan, Lord Boyd Orr, H H the Panchen Lama, Dr. J V Narlikar, Dr. K G Saiyidain, Dr. Karan Singh, H. H. Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar and Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr, and many other world renowned persons.

Sweetest Memories
G.S.Satya, a former inmate of William Quan Judge Cosmopolitan Home, who stays now in San Jose, USA for the past 30 years, is excited when he recollects the days he spent in IIWC.

"The IIWC helped shape my personality in my teens. As a BMSCE College student, I lived in the William Quan Judge Cosmopolitan Home, adjoining IIWC and attended the IIWC events week after week....."

"IIWC was also the venue where I met many great personalities from around the world such as Martin Luther King Jr. Coretta Scott King, JBS Haldane, VK Krishna Menon, Kengal Hanumanthaiah, P. Kodanda Rao, HN, R.R. Divakar,US Krishna Rao, Madame Sophia Wadia, B.P Wadia etc...."

The services of IIWC to wipe away ignorance and tears from India, is price worthy and ever-remembered. On the sixtieth anniversary of Indian independence day, as we salute the Tricolor, let us bow down our heads as a tribute to this great institution, The Indian Institute of World Culture.