Synopsis B.S. Kesavan, the first National Librarian of India, was a legend in his life-time, for his magic wand transformed the Imperial Library into the National Library of India in the best traditions of Indian life and culture, raising its stature on par with other national Libraries of world. Belevedere, the mansion of Warren Hastings, the great Governor-General of India, became in the hands of Mr. Kesavan, the finest library building for housing the priceless heritage of the Nation. The Reading Rooms of the library were so embellished by Mr. Kesavan with plaques and portraits that the visitors were always reminded of the cultural influences exerted by the great savants of the country. P.T. Nair, the bare-foot historian of Calcutta, has tried to portray the inimitable architect of India’s National Library in this work.