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End Of An Era! Bengaluru’s Iconic Nagasri Book House Shuts Down After Delighting Bibliophiles For 48 Years

Having to come bearing news of the 48-year-old Nagasri Book House in Jayanagar shutting shop is heartbreaking, to say the least.

by Sanjana Shenoy
End Of An Era! Bengaluru’s Iconic Nagasri Book House Shuts Down After Delighting Bibliophiles For 48 Years

As a proud South Bengalurean, my fondest childhood memories have been sipping piping hot filter coffee at darshinis, accompanying my mom to granthige stores (shops selling puja items) and going second-hand book shopping at heritage book shops. So, having to come bearing news of the 48-year-old Nagasri Book House in Jayanagar shutting shop is heartbreaking, to say the least.

Nagasri Book House In Jayanagar Closes Its Doors On June 8

Nagasri Book House is one of Bengaluru’s oldest independent bookstores nested in the popular Jayanagar 4th Block Market complex. It was founded by Venkatesh KV and Guruprasad in November 1976. Ever since then, it has been a favourite among local residents for fiction and non-fiction books in English and Kannada. I remember purchasing Kannada magazines and fiction reads for my grandmother at Nagasri Book House.

The local institution will end its chapter on Saturday, June 8, 2024. Venkatesh KV  stated to The New Indian Express, that they were shutting shop due to their age. And the founders are at a stage in their lives where they want to spend more time with their families. Moreover, their children didn’t have any interest in continuing the business and Venkatesh KV and Guruprasad didn’t consider selling the bookshop either.

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Narayan Murthy & Girish Karnad Frequented This Book Store

So, the founders and bibliophiles decided to end things on a happy note. Nagasri Book House enjoyed a glorious 48 years in the business. It was an emotion, a safe haven for bibliophiles who got a sniff of the Old Bengaluru amid the fast-paced changes gripping the Silicon Valley of India. Numerous IIM professors and NIMHANS doctors frequented the store. Amongst notable names were playwright Girish Karnad and Infosys honcho Narayan Murthy who frequented the store. Prominent writers like Govinda Rao and SL Bhyrappa also visited the store often.

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Bibliophiles, you still have a day to say goodbye to your beloved bookstore. Nagasri Book House is having a clearance sale where English books are sold at a 50 per cent discount and Kannada books at 30 per cent. This offer runs till June 8. Many heartbroken bibliophiles have reached in large numbers to bid goodbye to the iconic store that played an integral part in their childhood and adult years.

It’s the end of an era. While I’m heartbroken to know Nagasri Book House’s journey is coming to an end, I am immensely grateful for the books that adorn my shelf today and the memories that sit fondly in my heart.

Cover Image Courtesy: @nakulshenoy and @hallowinii/ X

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