Chennai: Tucked in a quiet place on Thilakar Street, Saligramam is a yellow one-floored apartment with a narrow balcony, lined up with pots. A dusty board hanging on the gates informs ‘Balu Mahendra Noolagam’.
Writer Ajayan Bala has set up the noolagam to throw more information on art of film making.
“There’s never a place for budding filmmakers to harness their creativity. Even though there are bookshops or film institutes, there’s still a need to create a space for people to thrive. Thus came the noolagam,” says Ajayan while speaking to News Today.
“The noolagam was started as an accident. I previously lived in a home and had to shift after having a dispute with the landlord. Fortunately, I found a room at Thilakar Street and it was perfect. I had hundreds of books and I decided to catalogue all of them and start a library here,” he says.
Ajayan knew that the noolagam would become a success when he posted a photo of himself with the books with a
small description about his plans on Facebook. The library opened its door on April 2018 and attracted the presence of acclaimed film personalities like Vetri Maaran and Sathya Raj. Ajayan was supported by his friends who donated him books.
Ajayan also brought in experienced cinematographers, editors, screenwriters, directors, among others to his library.
“They come here to deliver a speech about their work,” says Ajayan and adds, many reached out to me by themselves.
“Those who attend the talk are delighted to hear a first hand experience about the speaker’s skill,” he says.
Ajayan makes it a point not to invite a large crowd as the library is too small. “The smaller the crowd, the easier it feels for people to interact and have an engaging session,” he says.
The noolagam has even conducted screenwriting, acting and filmmaking workshops. “We organise events every Saturdays,” Ajayan says.
Today, the library has over 300 members.