Petit’s French library

Nestled in a quiet lane off Bombay’s Kala Ghoda is the city’s only French library, the Cercle Litteraire — Bibliotheque Dinshaw Petit, which was founded 122 years ago. Downtown Plus, a supplement of The Times of India dated September 5, 2008 records the story of its establishment in the words of Patrik Mendonca, librarian-in-charge, thus: "In 1886, Sir Pherozeshah Mehta and Justice Trimbak Telang passed a motion in the University Senate to introduce French studies as a graduate program. Hence, the first French department was created at the Elphinstone College. However, what students and professors of the department needed was a library stocked with French literature. Recognizing this need, Sir Dinshaw Maneckjee Petit, a rich Parsi businessman, donated Rs 10,000 to set up the library...

"The French translations of the Rig Veda and Zend Avesta are the pride of the library,” Mendonca informed Downtown Plus. The library also houses 3,600 novels, 150 philosophical works, 250 collections of poetry, plays, short stories, travelogs, anthologies, memoirs, historical treatises and books of literary criticism. A lifetime membership to this treasure trove of French literature comes at a very reasonable cost of Rs 3,500. "The bulk of the members are students of the Alliance Francaise classes who study the French language,” Mendonca reveals. In earlier years poetry seminars and debates were held in the library. Famous French personalities like writer Pierre Loti and statesman Georges Clemenceau, former Prime Minister of France have visited Cercle Litteraire when they were in the city.

An oil portrait of Sir Dinshaw hangs on the walls, along with portraits of others who have had a hand in the library’s journey through the years, reports Downtown Plus. The recently renovated library has air-conditioned interiors and a computer database with French versions of magazines like National Geographic that contrast dramatically with the older furniture and books, reveals the report. With its serene environs and antiquated appearance, the library creates a harmonious ambience melding the worlds of yesterday and today.