Email
Print
ShareMumbai: For 50-year-old PK Shah, if it's buying books, its got to be a visit to the old Strand Book Stall at Fort. "I still remember its owner (late) TN Shanbag and the way he used to explain a book to me and talk about any topic. He was an encyclopedia when it came to books."
If it's finding the best books on a particular subject or simply browsing through the tomes, 31-year-old Varun Gazdar relies on Danai Book Shop owner Jeroo Mango or earlier, Shanbag's advice. "Their recommendations are always right. They just seem to know what you wanted."
The smell of old books, cosy corners to sit and browse, a sense of belongingness and books of all shapes and sizes jostling for space is what draws readers and booklovers from across the city to the quaint, familiar old bookstores.
"Books are cultural products and not a commodity and it is the right kind of intimacy that attracts booklovers to our shop," states Vidya Virkar, partner, Strand Book Stall. Being the daughter of Shanbag, Virkar knows what has made Strand retain its die-hard loyal customers for so long.
One of the oldest bookstores in the city, Strand is the place which started on the premise that 'books are not a commodity but a way of life. Books communicate and give pleasure to people.' Shanbag was one of those rare people who were in the business not just to make money but to make book's a man's best friend.
He encouraged book browsing at his shop for as long as one desired. Virkar recalls an interesting incident that her father had narrated to her. Infosys honcho Narayan Murthy and his wife Sudha used to frequent the Strand in their young days simply to browse through books.
Once, Sudha Murthy had told Narayan that it didn't look nice to come so often and not to buy any book. To this, Narayan Murthy had replied, Strand is a bookstore which encourages reading even if it's just browsing and not buying.
"Most of our customers are like family and it's the personal touch and understanding of the customer's taste that makes us stand outfrom the modern day bookstores," says Veena Marthandan, manager, Danai Book Shop at Khar.An old bookshop, Danai has its loyal clientele who find the place a veritable treasure trove.
Not far from the Strand Book Stall at Fort is the second-hand book store -- NSB, yet another booklover's paradise for buying both old and new books. Over 100-years-old, it looks like an old library and is considered a mecca for all those passionate readers. With around 150 rare books in various subjects, this store is well stocked with books for all age groups.
"I have heard that Dr BR Ambedkar used to visit our shop. He bought quite a lot of history books from here," informs Sultan Vishram, partner, NSB.
Cut to the present day bookshops where you're likely to be greeted by spacious interiors, brightly lit corners, glossy covers and wafting aroma of caffeine.
However, feels Virkar, "Too much space and several activities happening simultaneously lacks the personal touch which a small bookshop can offer. According to both owners and loyalists of the old bookstores, it is the personal touch, knowledgeable staff who know what they're selling and the amazing discounts on books that draws the loyalists again and again.
For example, Strand offers a minimum 20 per cent discount on all books on a regular basis. There are also cases of 33-40 per cent discounts on select books. While the new book chains offer a mere 10 per cent discount at certain times of the year, at the old bookshops it's available year-round. Secondly, says Virkar, four to five copies of new novels (bestsellers) are available only at Strand as these come through special orders.
With so much on offer, the adage, old is gold, is absolutely true for these old bookstores.
