Roja Muthiah Research Library, Research library in Chennai, India
The Roja Muthiah Research Library is a research institution in Chennai focused on Tamil publications and documents, housing more than 400,000 items. The collection spans two centuries and includes books, journals, newspapers, printed materials, and audio recordings.
The institution was established in 1994 when the University of Chicago acquired the Tamil collection assembled by Roja Muthiah, who died in 1992. This extensive collection became the foundation for the library's research mission.
The collection documents the history of Tamil cinema and preserves materials about actors and filmmakers who shaped this industry. Visitors can see photographs, newspaper clippings, and personal documents that reflect the legacy of these artistic traditions.
The location is set within the CIT Campus in Tharamani and is accessible to researchers working with the collections. Visitors should plan ahead since it operates as a specialized research facility with set hours.
The collection includes gramophone records from the 1920s and 1930s, a rare record of sound from that era. These are complemented by theater handbills, wedding invitations, and private letters that offer glimpses into everyday Tamil life.
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