Mon May 26 08:24:39 UTC 2025: **News Article:**
**Hyderabad’s Sri Krishnadeva Raya Telugu Bhasha Nilayam Nears 124th Anniversary, Grapples with Legacy and Funding**
**Hyderabad, India – May 26, 2025** – The Sri Krishnadeva Raya Telugu Bhasha Nilayam, a historic library in Hyderabad, is preparing to celebrate its 124th anniversary in September. Founded as a home for Telugu literature, the Nilayam houses approximately 50,000 books and magazines, including rare and valuable titles.
However, the library faces challenges in maintaining its legacy. Secretary T. Udayawarlu highlighted the slow pace of digitization, with only around 10,000 books digitized in the past seven years due to limited funding, staffing shortages, and copyright issues.
Once a cultural landmark and a popular destination for Telugu literature enthusiasts, the Nilayam now primarily serves M.Phil and Ph.D. students. Decreasing funding and foot traffic led the library to institute awards in honor of notable Telugu poets and scholars, generating income through fees from families and friends of the deceased.
Other income streams include renting out the fourth floor to the National Open School. However, the library has lost approximately 10,000 books over the years due to various factors.
Despite these challenges, the library, currently helmed by president KV Ramana Chary and dedicated secretary T. Udayawarlu, remains committed to preserving Telugu literature and culture. Plans are underway to launch a website to coincide with the anniversary celebrations and poet Dasarathi’s birth centenary in July. The library hopes that through these efforts, it can continue to serve as a beacon of knowledge and enlightenment for future generations.
First Piper 