Print vs Digital is an ongoing debate with both sides ardently arguing about the merits, or lack thereof, of both mediums. Digital seems to have the edge though, as bookstores across the country are seeing their profits diminish – a direct result of the rise in popularity of Kindle, e-books and other forms of digitized text.
Today, Mumbai is mourning the loss of beloved Strand Book Stall, yet another casualty of the digital media onslaught. Strand Book Stall had rather humble beginnings when, in 1948, TN Shanbagh set up a two shelf stall at Strand Cinema in Colaba. “It was my father’s eloquence that charmed Keki Modi who owned Strand Cinema. Though my father had asked for permission to set up two shelves to sell books in the lounge there, Modi was so moved by his passion that he had the shelves erected himself,” Vidya Virkar, Shanbagh’s daughter and the store’s managing partner, told Mumbai Mirror in an interview. Later, Strand Book Stall moved shop to Fort but chose to keep its former name.
For all those who were regulars at the bookstore, and there were many, know for a fact that Mumbai will never be the same without the now iconic Stall. Towering piles of books and bookshelves stocked with paperbacks, hardcovers, and everything in between, it was a haven for anyone who sought refuge between the pages of books. Customers would browse the contents for hours on end and, more often than not, receive personalised book recommendations from the store’s owner, TN Shanbagh. In fact, Shanbagh was a major reason they had garnered such a glowing reputation and a number of regular patrons and loyalists that swore by the store. He was passionate about reading and saw his store as a sort of bridge between books and potential readers. He would encourage people to read and sometimes went to considerable lengths to make sure he achieved this. “When I pointed out to Shanbhag the books I liked, he immediately got them packed and refused to take payment. He said he was building future customers,” Sylvia Khan, a design magazine editor, told Hindustan Times. Shanbhag wanted to make reading as accessible as possible. He made sure his books were affordable by offering a 20 percent discount year round. In fact, Strand Book Stall was known for its many discount offers, the most prominent of them being the Annual Book Sale that would fill Sundarbai Hall in Marine lines to its full capacity.
As the 70-year-old bookstore prepares to bid farewell to its customers on the 27th of February, the same day as the death anniversary of its founder, Strand Book Stall is sending out an invitation, with a generous clearance sale to boot, to anyone who wants a chance to shop at the cultural landmark before they close their doors forever.
Strand Book Stall is located at 15-C, Dhannur Building, Sir P.M. Road, Fort, Mumbai.
Feature image photographed by Shivani Shah via The City Story