Situated in a corner just off Brigade Road, Select Bookstore stands as a timeless sanctuary for book lovers. From the classics of Homer to the wit of P G Wodehouse, this family-run establishment, helmed by 94-year-old KKS Murthy and his son K Sanjay, boasts a rich history dating back to its inception in 1945.

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The tale of Select Bookstore begins in 1945 with its first-generation proprietor, advocate KBK Rao. Originally a lawyer practicing in Kurnool, Rao decided to swap his legal pursuits for the world of books. Speaking to the Indian Express, K Sanjay, Rao’s grandson, shared that the store’s humble beginnings started in a shed on Museum Road, before eventually relocating to M G Road in the late ’70s. After traversing through different premises, Select found its permanent abode off Brigade Road in 1984, where KKS Murthy and K Sanjay continue to uphold the family legacy.

Source: LBB

Select Bookstore holds a tapestry of memories woven by distinguished visitors over the years. K Sanjay reminisces about the days when the legendary physicist C V Raman was a frequent patron. The premises on M G Road once hosted J Krishnamurti, and a Maharaja from Kolhapur or Baroda also graced the store with his presence. Notably, Srikantadatta Wodeyar, a familiar royal figure, frequented the store in the 2000s, immersing himself in the curated collection.

Source: The Hindu

Among the literary luminaries drawn to Select, Ruskin Bond stands out as a devoted customer for three decades. Historian Ramachandra Guha has sourced research materials for his books from the bookstore, even stumbling upon his grandmother’s horoscope hidden within the pages of a sold book. The collection itself has been enriched by auctions in Bangalore, where Anglo-Indians in the cantonment area traded their treasures. Suppliers from Bombay, Delhi, and Chennai further contributed to the diverse selection, including rare gems like an ancient Dutch book from the late 1600s and a personally signed copy of Gitanjali by Rabindranath Tagore.