Unique photos of the inauguration of the Surendra Narayan Archives.
On Saturday 25th January the so-called ‘soft-opening’ of the Surendra Narayan Archives (formerly the Adyar Archives) took place. The ‘official’ grand-opening will happen during the 145th International Convention, in January 2021. Both Michiel Haas, who is the Creative Chief Officer of the renovations taking place in Adyar, and International President Tim Boyd and his hard-working team, ought to be congratulated with this significant and historical step forward. Actually, your editor would rather call it a LEAP forward. In any case it is truly a dream come true.
Officer in charge Jaishree Kannan and Tim Boyd
The opening began in the Library Hall with Tim Boyd giving a short talk and lighting a lamp, and Jaishree Kannan, who is the officer in charge of the Archives, accompanied by Jyotsna Narayan chanting. After this officers and invitees proceeded to the well-airconditioned premises of the new Archives for short but solemn ceremony and tea.
Watch Tim Boyd’s inauguration speech, click HERE
At the entrance the brand-new signboard of ‘The Adyar Library and Research Centre, and Surendra Narayan Archives’ caught everyone’s attention.
All and all it was a wonderful event.
Coincidentally, MR. GIRO OLCOTT, who is founder Henry Steel Olcott’s brother’s grandson, happened to be in Chennai and came by to participate in this memorable event. On one of the the photos underneath he is having a chat with Tim Boyd.
The new sign board at the entrance
TS Headquarters now has a "complete" research centre: Library and Archives combined
An amazing and typically adjusted environment in the Archives
Checking out an Archives cabinet
Officers and invitees
On this image one can clearly see the special airco-units on top, and observe the essential and sensitive lighting system, constructed in the ceiling
Treasures being kept in specially designed Archives cabinets
Tim Boyd talking to Giro Olcott