Introduction

The library of Gandhian Centre for Philosophical Arts and Sciences (GCPAS) is an inter-disciplinary one covering all areas of knowledge including philosophy, literature, journalism, history, political science, all arts and sciences. The basic idea is to facilitate the students, scholars and all seekers of truth to have a comprehensive view of knowledge, wisdom and reality. The library is currently located in the Old Tapmi building, behind Manipal post office. It is generally open on all the working days from 9 am to 7 pm also varying according to the academic schedule. The other Centres coordinated by the GCPAS such as Rashtrakavi Govind Pai Kendra, Regional Resource Cenre for Folk Performing Arts, Yakshagana Kendra, Kanakadasa Adhyayana Samshodhana Peetha also have separate libraries in their respective locations which operate between 9 am and 5 pm. The total number of books is about 25,000.

The Centre
The Gandhian Centre for Philosophical Arts and Sciences is a department which engages with interdisciplinary teaching and research with a view to developing alternative knowledge systems to deal with contemporary crises. The Centre engages with intersectionality of aesthetics, philosophy, ecology, journalism, Gandhian and peace studies.

The Centre offers a post-graduate degree – MA in Ecosophical Aesthetics – first of its kind anywhere, is a two-year programme to fulfill the need for ‘art writers’. It is essentially ‘art journalism from ecosophical perspective’. Ecosophy combines ecology and philosophy. The programme includes a philosophical appreciation of all art forms – music, dance, literature, theatre, cinema, painting etc with a focus on writing and ecosophy is the connecting thread. The Centre also conducts a certificate programme in Gandhian Studies and offers PhD programme.

History
Gandhian Centre for Philosophical Arts and Sciences is a new name for Centre for Gandhian and Peace Studies, primarily to expand the scope of its activities and academic programmes. While Gandhian Studies has been a distinct area of academics in the University since 2009, the department, in its present form, exists since December 14, 2014.

Other Centres administered by MAHE and coordinated by Gandhian Centre, which also have separate libraries in MGM college vicinity, are

a) Rashtrakavi Govind Pai Research Centre: Started in 1965 in memory of veteran poet Govind Pai, RGPRC is engaged in research and publication, presentation of endowment awards and PhD programme. The Centre has a fine library and brings out a quarterly journal 'Tuluva'.

b) Regional Resources Centre for Folk Performing Arts: Started in 1983, the Centre popularly known as RRC, is engaged in research, d o c u m e n t a t i o n , p u b l i c a t i o n a n d P h D programme. It has a very valuable audio-visual archive of the folk arts built over the years.

c) Yakshagana Kendra: Started in 1971, the Kendra is a well-known training centre for Yakshagana, the traditional theatre form of the region. Guru Bannanje Sanjeeva Suvarna, renowned artiste, is the principal of the school and there is also a professional Yakshagana troupe – Yaksharanga. The Centre also runs a three-credit Yakshagana appreciation course in Manipal Institute of Technology (MIT).

d) Kanakadasa Adhyayana Samshodhana Peetha Started in 2010, the Peetha is engaged in research, programmes and publication about medieval saint-poet Kanakadasa and related areas. Kanakadasa was a voice of spiritual protest within Bhakti tradition of India.