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Vidya Virkar
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No flashy lights or sprawling spaces. But a quietstore in the bustling central business district of the city, which lures avid booklovers, novice readers and people in general, who love the written word. That’s the Strand bookstore in Bangalore, which recently completed 16 years. Envisioned by founder TN Shanbhag, who was honoured with the Padmashree for the pursuit of enlightened bookselling in India, the history of Strand is replete with interesting anecdotes and more importantly, with the zeal to make books accessible to all. Currently running the 63-year-old flagship store in Mumbai and the Bangalore set-up, is managing partner of Strand and daughter of the late TN Shanbhag, Vidya Virkar. We caught up with the pall bearer of a bookselling legacy, on Father’s Day.
You have pursued a research career at Cambridge and an exciting stint with a leading advertising agency in London. Yet you chose to come back to become a part of your father’s bookselling business. What led you to Strand?
I never wanted to be a part of the brain drain syndrome. Also, Strand’s reputation and my father’s iconic status had grown so much, that it was a legacy that needed to be taken forward. Meanwhile, my brother had already settled abroad and I was the only other child who could come back and not let Strand shrivel up in any way.
Was it difficult to follow in the footsteps of your father, who had set high standards in the trade?
The only person who was nervous with my decision to get involved with the Strand business was my dad. He felt that since I had no direct experience with trade, the way forward would be difficult. But I wasn’t scared of stepping into shoes that were too big for me. I had innate confidence in my own ability to transcend into the trade with interesting innovations.
You set up the Bangalore Strand store in 1995, took the brand to IT campuses in the city, launched a hugely popular annual discounted book festival, initiated book reading sessions and more. What have been some important lessons learnt, over the years?
Strand has always functioned with a heightened sense of passion for books and great idealism. We are part philanthropic, part business set-up. Some key lessons which have been handed down by my father, include a no dilution policy. We have full faith in the written word and don’t believe in distracting our clients with other consumer items in our stores. We focus on a high level of quality and offer a selection of eclectic and rare books in our stores. And lastly, Strand has never succumbed to the pressure of high profits. We just make enough to keep us going in the book business. These three tenets are written on stone and I have stood by them over the years.
After you, who will take the Strand legacy forward?
Right now, I don’t know what lies ahead. My daughter is pursuing a career abroad, just the way I did. And like my father, who never forced me to return to the business, I too will not compel her in any way. If she feels like it someday, she might take it forward. Otherwise, I have a big extended family in the employees of Strand, who can take it forward too. But I am sure Strand will live forever!
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