Library to honor Prof Riccardi’s legacy

The Professor Ted Riccardi Memorial Reading Room, housing an invaluable collection of rare books and research materials related to Nepal, was inaugurated at the Nepal Vocational Academy (NVA) in Kamalbinayak, Bhaktapur. The reading room is a tribute to Professor Ted Riccardi, a renowned American scholar from Columbia University who dedicated over 50 years to the study of Nepal’s rich history, culture, and language.

Riccardi, who passed away in 2020, was instrumental in bringing Nepali history and culture to a global audience. His contributions include translating ancient Nepali and Sanskrit texts. He conducted the only archaeological digs in Kathmandu Valley at Dumakhal and published his findings in the journal ‘Archaeological Excavation in the Kathmandu Valley’. His work in archaeology and his efforts to bridge Eastern and Western scholarship have left a lasting impact on both Nepali and international academia.

Riccardi’s personal library, accumulated over decades of research, contains rare and valuable texts on Nepal, South Asia, and beyond—many of which were previously inaccessible to Nepali scholars. His collection includes works in various languages, such as Devanagari (Nepali, Sanskrit, Hindi), English, German, French, and Italian. The library reflects Riccardi’s deep understanding of Nepali civilization, and his scholarly contributions range from translating inscriptions, such as the ancient Manadeva Inscription, to compiling the ‘Dictionary of the Newari Language with Glossary in Italian’.

Following his retirement from Columbia in 2003, Riccardi published two collections of Sherlock Holmes stories—‘The Oriental Casebook of Sherlock Holmes’ (2003) and ‘Between the Thames and the Tiber: The Further Adventures of Sherlock Holmes’ (2011)—where he creatively combined his knowledge of the Indian subcontinent with Western literature and history.

Bringing Riccardi’s collection to Nepal

Riccardi’s collection, previously housed in his residences in New Mexico and New York, has now found its home in Nepal, thanks to the efforts of his wife, Ellen Coon, and heritage expert Rabindra Puri. The US Embassy in Kathmandu played a significant role in the logistics of transferring the books. The reading room has been set up with the support of the Rabindra Puri Foundation for Conservation, aiming to make this library a hub for future scholars and researchers.

The collection includes over 5,000 books, many of which are rare or one-of-a-kind editions. These volumes, which offer deep insights into ancient Nepali society, the Himalayan region, and broader South Asian contexts, are now available to Nepali readers for the first time.

During the inauguration ceremony, Coon expressed her gratitude and excitement, stating, “This is my dream come true. I can’t feel a greater honor than seeing my late husband’s collection in this beautiful space. These books have come home.” She also highlighted Nepal’s heritage wealth, saying, “Nepal is not a poor country, as it has many heritage riches. Many heritage pieces were stolen from Nepal in the past, but now is the time to preserve them and bring them back.”

Puri, who spearheaded the project, acknowledged the collaborative efforts that made the reading room possible. “This is the seed today; it will grow into the biggest and most resourceful library in Nepal,” he said. Two rooms have been dedicated to the collection, with plans to expand as more scholars express interest in contributing their own works. Puri also noted that Bhaktapur, which once boasted Nepal’s largest library during the Malla period, is once again becoming a hub of knowledge.

US Ambassador to Nepal, Dean R Thompson, lauded the efforts to preserve Nepal’s cultural heritage and expressed pride in the US Embassy’s involvement. “This is a fantastic achievement, and I’d like to thank Garrett for his tireless efforts,” he said, referring to Garrett E Wilkerson, the Embassy’s Public Affairs Chief. Thompson emphasized the importance of cultural conservation and the US-Nepal collaboration, pledging continued support to ensure the preservation and accessibility of the library for future generations.

Wilkerson, in his farewell speech as his tenure came to an end, highlighted the challenges of transporting 5,000 books from New Mexico and New York to Nepal but expressed his satisfaction in seeing the project come to fruition. “Culture conservation is very important, not only for Nepal but for the world,” he remarked, reinforcing the library’s significance in fostering a deeper understanding of Nepal’s heritage.

A growing legacy

The Professor Ted Riccardi Memorial Reading Room is expected to grow in size and significance. Scholars from around the world have already contacted Coon, offering to contribute additional volumes to the collection. As the library expands, it is poised to become a key resource for both Nepali and international researchers, fostering a greater appreciation of Nepal’s history and its place in the broader South Asian context.

“This initiative is a significant step toward achieving Nepal’s cultural preservation goals, and it aligns with the broader mission of showcasing the nation’s rich heritage to the world,” said Puri. “With its doors now open, the reading room stands as a beacon of knowledge, offering future generations the tools to explore, understand, and cherish Nepal’s unique history.”