Puthuvayil Narayana Panicker (1 March 1909 – 19 June 1995) is known as the Father of the Library Movement in the Indian state of Kerala.
[2] Panicker was born in a Nair family on 1909 March 1 to Govinda Pillai and Janaky Amma at Neelamperoor, India.
Panicker took a keen interest in promoting Agricultural Books Corners, The Friendship Village Movement (Sauhrudagramam), Reading Programmes for Families, Grants for Books and building libraries and Best Reader's Award P.N.
[5] The Government of Kerala acknowledged his contributions and ordered that 19 June be observed, annually, as Vaayanadinam (Reading Day) with a week-long series of activities at schools and public institutions to honor his contributions to the cause of literacy, education and library movement.
The Department of Posts honored Panicker by issuing a commemorative postage stamp on 21 June 2004.