The Mumbai Strand Book Festival: A sight for sore eyes

The founder of Mumbai's famous Strand Book Stall, late T. N. Shanbhag, was an "iconic bookseller," according to the company's website. It also claims that with a princely capital of Rs 450 in 1948, Shanbhag was "the first one in the whole world to give a 20 percent discount to the reader whom he considered a kindred soul."

You'd think this was hyperbole. But when the Strand's first and loyal customers were among India's top minds (ex Prime Minister Pandit Nehru and Dr Shashi Tharoor, Minister of State for External Affairs who describes the Strand as "an iconic Indian institution for book lovers across our country") you'd have to think again.

The Strand Book Stall also has five university campus stores across the country as well as stores inside the  buildings of IT companies Infosys and Wipro, and in 2003 the Strand's founder was awarded the Padmashri, one of the government's highest honors. 

Read the history of this fascinating big-little Mumbai bookshop which opened on the corner of Strand Cinema just after World War I.

The 60-year-old book chain has its annual Mumbai Strand Book Festival all this month and already people are turning up to 7pm Colaba art events with heavy Strand carry bags from the book festival, which is nearby. Although one woman described it as "a little underwhelming this year," bookworms will dig it. 

The venue this year has two well-appointed, air conditioned halls with easy access at ground level. Parking is available in and around the area.

Till February 28, 10am-8pm, at Kamalnayan Bajaj Hall, Bajaj Bhavan, Opp INOX, Jamnalal Bajaj Marg, 226, Nariman Point; tel. +91 (0) 22 2263 0154.