Despite staff shortages and funding challenges, Kerala’s State Institute of Encyclopaedia Publications director Muse Mary George says the goal remains clear: to make knowledge accessible to all.
Published Apr 29, 2025 | 5:03 PM ⚊ Updated Apr 29, 2025 | 5:03 PM
Dr Muse Mary George
Synopsis: Kerala’s State Institute of Encyclopaedia Publications (SIEP) is going digital, with a new online encyclopaedia and audiobook editions to reach more readers. It is also completing its 20-volume print series while expanding its reach through schools and book festivals. Despite staff shortages and funding challenges, director Muse Mary George says the goal remains clear: to make knowledge accessible to all.
Kerala’s efforts to make knowledge accessible began over sixty years ago, when then Chief Minister Pattom Thanupillai proposed a Malayalam encyclopaedia that every household could use.
Today, that vision lives on through the State Institute of Encyclopaedia Publications (SIEP), an autonomous body under the Department of Cultural Affairs. What began as a plan for ten volumes has grown into a 20-volume encyclopaedia, the Sarvavijnanakosam, alongside a range of specialised titles on topics from world literature and astronomy to artificial intelligence, and the lives of Kumaranasan and the Vaikom Satyagraha movement.
But in a rapidly changing digital world, how does a traditional print institution stay relevant? South First spoke with Director Muse Mary George of the SIEP about the institute’s evolution, its efforts to engage younger readers, and the challenges it faces in keeping encyclopaedic knowledge alive.
Excerpts follow.
Recognising that readers increasingly prefer online and multimedia formats, we are launching Kerala Vijnana Kosham—a fully digital, interactive Kerala encyclopaedia.
It is being envisioned as a micro-detailed structure, with a statewide overview followed by 14 district chapters, each spotlighting history, culture, society, and signature attractions.
It will also feature rich multimedia, consisting of high-resolution photographs, archival videos, narrated audio clips, and custom illustrations.
It will be an ideal travel companion as it will include practical information on routes, accommodations, and local cuisine—turning knowledge into real-world experiences.
We have initiated discussions with the Centre for Development of Imaging Technology (C-DIT), the state’s premier digital media body under the Department of Electronics and Information Technology (IT). Together, we will ensure robust infrastructure, intuitive user interface/user experience (UI/UX) design, and seamless access across devices.
We are rolling out the project in phases.
Another initiative that we are planning to launch is audiobook editions. Narrated by professional voice artists, these audio versions will be ideal for those who prefer listening or have difficulty reading large texts. It will also serve all age groups—from schoolchildren enjoying stories of Kerala’s past to seniors revisiting cultural narratives.
The initiative is also expected to enable learning on the go—perfect for commuters, travellers, and anyone who wants to absorb knowledge hands-free.
By combining print, digital, multimedia, and audio, we are ensuring that knowledge is truly within everyone’s reach.
The State Institute of Encyclopaedia Publications (SIEP) project stands as a testament to Kerala’s dedication to preserving and disseminating its rich cultural, historical, and intellectual heritage.
18 Volumes of the Encyclopedia
Originally conceived in 1961 as a ten-volume series, it was in 1969 that it was decided to make it a comprehensive 20-volume magnum opus. The series has unfolded steadily over the decades.
To date, 18 meticulously researched volumes have been published and are widely available in university libraries, public institutions, and research centres across the state and beyond.
These volumes cover a broad spectrum of topics—from art and architecture to linguistics, ecology, and social customs—each reflecting the depth of Kerala’s unique legacy.
We follow the Malayalam alphabetical order series.
The nineteenth volume has entered its final production phase: the manuscript is being thoroughly reviewed, peer-edited by subject-matter experts, and will soon go to print. Its formal release is anticipated later this calendar year.
Looking ahead, the twentieth and concluding volume is currently under preparation, with the editorial board targeting a publication date in 2026.
Upon its arrival, the complete SIEP series will offer an unparalleled, authoritative reference on Kerala’s past and present.
We are also in the process of revising and updating the published volumes.
Aside from the primary project, we came out with World Literature in ten volumes—a panoramic sweep of global literary treasures, from classical epics to modern masterpieces—as well as specialised “mini-encyclopaedias” like Vaikom Satyagraha, Malayalam Literature, Kumaranasan and others.
These concise volumes blend encyclopaedic structure with focused storytelling, making them both portable and deeply informative.
While instant digital access is undeniably convenient, comprehensive print encyclopaedias—like our 20-volume SIEP set—offer unparalleled depth, rigour, and a sense of discovery you simply cannot replicate with a quick search. Each volume is meticulously edited, cross-referenced, and peer-reviewed, making it an authoritative reference for scholars and serious readers.
Vaikom Satyagraham Vijnanakosham of State Institute of Encyclopedic Publications
SIEP’s publications are steadily gaining traction in the market, particularly through two main channels: school libraries and book festivals.
The General Education Department has issued a directive ensuring that every school library in Kerala must stock our publications. This directive guarantees a consistent demand from schools, making our books accessible to thousands of students, teachers, and education professionals across the state. The fact that our works are part of the core educational resources used in schools adds a layer of credibility and stability to our sales.
This institutional presence has been a cornerstone of our market outreach, keeping our works in circulation and contributing to their visibility and usage.
Also, over the past two years, SIEP has made a conscious push to expand its presence beyond school libraries and into the broader literary community by participating in major book festivals across Kerala.
These events have provided an excellent platform for direct engagement with readers, allowing us to present our publications in a more consumer-friendly environment.
At these festivals, we have implemented attractive, festival-only discounts that have resonated well with book buyers.
As a result, we have seen book sales soar to more than ₹10 lakhs, demonstrating that there is considerable demand for our titles when readers have direct access to them.
These events have not only boosted our sales but also helped us connect with a wider audience, many of whom may not have encountered our books in schools.
Despite our successes, there are a few challenges that persist in our marketing strategy.
One such challenge is overstock.
Typically, when we publish a new title, the first print run consists of 5,000 copies. If these are sold quickly, we print another batch of 5,000 copies. However, in some cases, the demand for subsequent editions is slower, leaving us with unsold stock.
World Literature Encyclopedia – 10 volumes
To tackle this, we have been offering these excess copies at heavily discounted prices to attract buyers. By doing so, we are able to clear stock while offering readers the opportunity to buy our books at a more affordable price.
While our core consumers are educational institutions—especially schools—there is a broader market that remains relatively untapped. Parents, competitive exam candidates, and casual readers are potential customers who are often not aware of the value our publications offer.
To ensure long-term sustainability, we need to reach these groups and diversify our consumer base. Relying solely on educational institutions is not enough to secure the long-term growth and visibility that we need.
As part of our ongoing effort to keep our books relevant and appealing, we plan to curate content that aligns with emerging academic trends.
In terms of design, we are looking at incorporating modern layouts that are not only visually appealing but also interactive.
The layout and design of our books play a critical role in their appeal. Clean, visually engaging pages make complex topics more accessible and enjoyable for students, especially when dealing with challenging subjects.
The SIEP is set to release its highly anticipated twentieth volume next year.
Some of the other major works include comprehensive explorations of genetics, Sree Narayana Guru, the women’s movement, marine biodiversity, Indian English literature, Dalit literature, and Kerala’s environment.
These concise encyclopaedias promise to attract a wide range of readers, from scholars to general audiences, offering fresh insights into these vital and diverse subjects.
At SIEP, one of our most significant challenges is finding new markets.
We are constantly seeking innovative ways to expand our reach and increase sales in untapped areas. The search for new markets is crucial to driving our growth, and we remain determined to overcome this challenge.
In addition to this, we are grappling with a severe staff shortage.
Numerous positions remain vacant, and the current staff has been going above and beyond to ensure that the workload is managed. Overtime has become the norm as our dedicated team works tirelessly to keep up with the demands and projects at hand.
The hard work, dedication, and vigilance of our staff cannot be overstated. Their commitment is the driving force behind our continued efforts.
However, the reality remains that we are understaffed, and with a funding crunch to boot, the challenges are even more daunting.
Despite these obstacles, our resolve is stronger than ever.
We will continue to face these challenges head-on, and we are unwavering in our mission to impart knowledge and make a difference in everything we do.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
