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According to the Annual Report of IIT Madras, 1967-68, the total stock of books and pamphlets in the Central Library rose from 61,439 from the start of the academic year to 69,799 on 30 June 1968. It included 58,860 books and 10,939 pamphlets.  As seen in the photograph, the library was adorned with carpets and neatly arranged shelves. It is possible that the desk in the photograph was placed for the purpose of reading books in a more comfortable position.

The reading area was located near the shelves of books, allowing members to browse books and also sit nearby and read them. The room appears to be fitted with plenty of tube lights and fans, making it comfortable and welcoming to its members.

The Central Library was opened on 21 July 1967 by Dr. A. L. Mudaliar (Chairman of the Board of Governors). This was the third place to serve as the IIT Madras Library, the first being on the third floor of A. C. College of Technology (until August 1961) and the second being on the second floor of the Building Sciences Block (until July 1967).  As seen in the photograph, the building was well lit with natural light, owing to the plenty of windows that were built. The library was also equipped with a sufficient number of tube lights to provide ample lighting to readers.

The reading area was located near the shelves of books, allowing members to browse books and also sit nearby and read them. Persons who wanted to read books were able to do so in the reading area. The area was separated by what appear to be wooden panels for each individual to have his/her private space to read and study.

The Annual Report of IIT Madras, 1967-68 makes a note of the number of books and periodicals issued and the attendance of persons in the academic year 1967-68. The number of books and periodicals issued was 1,26,000, while the attendance of members was 1,08,000.  Interestingly, the clock in the photograph reveals the time at which the photograph was taken which appears to be 4:55 p.m. if the clock was running correctly. The Annual Report of IIT Madras, 1967-68 also mentions that the library was open from 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. It was only on Sundays and other closed holidays for the…

The Annual Report of IIT Madras, 1967-68 mentions that the services of the new Central Library extended to neighboring industrial organizations and other outsiders without affecting the services to its own academic staff. During the year 1967-68, the total attendance of members was 1,08,000 and number of books and periodicals issued was 1,26,000. The report also mentions that the Library continued to work on all the days of the year under review (excepting seven closed holidays for the Library) between 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays and other closed holidays.…

Also seen standing on the dais is Mr. Rajagopalan (Deputy Registrar). Also seen to the left of the image is a bust of Dr. A. L. Mudaliar (first Chairman, Board of Governors) that the chief guest unveiled at the ceremony. At the seventh convocation, Prof. A. Ramachandran (Director, IITM) conferred the degrees and diplomas on 214 candidates, who attended the convocation and in absentia on 346 students. The chief speaker distributed prizes to the prize winners and delivered the convocation address. The President’s Prize was awarded to Mr. Sachindra Kumar Jain (3-year B.Tech. Mechanical…

Seated on the dais in the front row from the right: Prof. Rama Sastry (Physics department), Prof. D. V. Reddy (Applied Mechanics department), Prof. S. D. Nigam (Mathematics department), Prof. R. K. Gupta (Humanities and Social Sciences department), Prof. D. Venkateswarlu (Chemical Engineering department), Prof. P. C. Varghese (Civil Engineering department), Prof. M. V. C. Sastry (Chemistry department) and Prof. E. G. Ramachandran (Metallurgy department). The seventh convocation of IITM was held on a Saturday evening at 5:00 pm, the 29th of August, 1970. Dr. Y. Nayudamma, representing the…

Seen in the image from the left: Dr. V. V. Giri (President of India), Dr. Y. Nayudamma (Director, CLRI), Prof. A. Ramachandran (Director, IITM) and an individual who is yet to be identified. The two men in uniform behind the President are possibly his bodyguards.   The seventh convocation of IITM was held on a Saturday evening at 5:00 pm, the 29th of August, 1970. Dr. Y. Nayudamma, representing the Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Institute (Mr. H. V. R. Iengar), presided over the ceremony. The chief guest for the event was Dr. V. V. Giri. A German delegate, Mr. Gunter Diehl…

Seen in the image from the left: Prof. S. D. Nigam (Mathematics department), Prof. D. V. Reddy (Applied Mechanics department), Prof. Rama Sastry (Physics department), Dr. V. V. Giri (President of India) and an individual who is possibly the chief guest’s bodyguard. Varahagiri Venkata Giri was an Indian politician and activist who served as the fourth president of India. He was the only president to be elected as an independent candidate. After the end of his full term he was honoured by the Government of India with the Bharat Ratna in 1975.   

Seen in the image from the left: An individual who is yet to be identified, Dr. V. V. Giri (President of India) and an individual who appears to be his bodyguard.   During the proceedings of the seventh convocation, the chief guest, Dr. V. V. Giri unveiled a bust of Dr. A. L. Mudaliar (first Chairman, Board of Governors). Today the bust can be found at the Institute’s Heritage Centre.   Dr. A. L. Mudaliar (1887-1974) was a renowned Indian educationist and physician. He was the longest serving Vice-Chancellor of Madras University (27 years), principal of Madras Medical…

Seen on the dais is Dr. V. V. Giri (President of India). The seventh convocation of IITM was held on a Saturday evening at 5:00 pm, the 29th of August, 1970. Dr. Y. Nayudamma, representing the Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Institute (Mr. H. V. R. Iengar), presided over the ceremony. The chief guest for the event was Dr. V. V. Giri. A German delegate, Mr. Gunter Diehl (Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany in India) also attended the event. 

The seventh convocation of IITM was held on a Saturday evening at 5:00 pm, the 29th of August, 1970. Dr. Y. Nayudamma, representing the Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Institute (Mr. H. V. R. Iengar), presided over the ceremony. The chief guest for the event was Dr. V. V. Giri (President of India). A German delegate, Mr. Gunter Diehl (Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany in India) also attended the event.

The seventh convocation of IITM was held on a Saturday evening at 5:00 pm, the 29th of August, 1970. Dr. Y. Nayudamma, representing the Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Institute (Mr. H. V. R. Iengar), presided over the ceremony. The chief guest for the event was Dr. V. V. Giri (President of India). A German delegate, Mr. Gunter Diehl (Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany in India) also attended the event.

During the proceedings of the seventh convocation, the chief guest, Dr. V. V. Giri (President of India) unveiled a bust of Dr. A. L. Mudaliar (first Chairman, Board of Governors). Today the bust can be found at the Institute’s Heritage Centre.   Dr. A. L. Mudaliar (1887-1974) was a renowned Indian educationist and physician. He was the longest serving Vice-Chancellor of Madras University (27 years), principal of Madras Medical College and Chairman, Board of Governors of IIT Madras. He was also elected as the Chairman of the World Health Organization (WHO) Executive Board in 1949 and…