Institute Of Asian Studies

We’ve been here in Semmanchery at No 23 for a long time now. The building is situated in Sholinganallur, and it’s mostly just a place for books and people who are interested in studying Asian history and various languages. It isn't a flashy or modern office. Most of the rooms are packed with old records, manuscripts, and shelves that go all the way to the ceiling. Sholinganallur is quite a busy area these days, but once you step inside the gates, things tend to quiet down a lot. We spend our days mostly cataloging items or helping researchers who travel here to find specific documents. Some of the staff have been around since the institute first opened its doors. We usually drink a lot of tea and try to keep the fans running because it gets quite warm in the afternoons. The sign out front is getting a bit old and faded, but you can still find us easily enough if you're looking. We don't have fancy furniture or any high-tech gadgets, just rows of books and some sturdy wooden desks. It works for the kind of work we do here. Sometimes students from the nearby colleges come by to look through the archives for their projects. We just try to keep things organized so that people can find what they need without too much trouble. It’s a quiet life, mostly just dealing with paper and history every day. If you get lost in Sholinganallur, just ask someone for the institute near the old road.