College Street in Kolkata by Patrichia Dcruze

College Street, India’s largest book market, Kolkata’s pride, travels across with the name of Boi Para. As its name implies, College Street is flanked by a number of Kolkata's educational establishments, including the University of Calcutta, Sanskrit College, Presidency University, and the Medical College of Kolkata, to mention a few. The largest publishing firms in India are located on the mile-long avenue, which co-exists with hundreds of small and large bookshops. The bookshops range from conventional brick and mortar establishments to tiny temporary kiosks constructed out of bamboo, canvas, or sheets of metal. Every shop and stall have a unique history to share.

The primary attraction of College Street is that it houses a collection of practically every book ever sold in Kolkata. Extensive haggling is the norm while buying rare books, which are typically offered for incredibly low rates. Books from 250 years ago, rare first editions, and copies of books from publishers that no longer exist can all be found there. The legendary Indian Coffee House, a favourite of the literati located at College Street, has welcomed notable Indian authors like Satyajit Ray and Rabindranath Tagore for a cup of chai, a samosa, and the weekly gossip.

College Street is a refuge for bookworms and bargain seekers, the secondhand book industry is the largest in the world. Amidst the pool of bookstores exists a great number of book stalls that will definitely spoil you with choices. The constant calls from the small stalls await to meet your bookish needs. From the plethora of choices that are served to you, we have a few names that could serve the purpose of your visit to the ‘Book Town’. In case you have landed in the boi para out of your pre decided schedule, then be assured to take back a bag full of knowledge and enjoyment.

Conversing with the booksellers has always been refreshing and enriching. Do try to get into a conversation with a few to learn from their journey. I did, and discovered lesser-known facts: 

Located near the famous Calcutta University is Bookland College Street Book Stall. Sitting under the tin roof amidst hundreds of books peeps out Tariful Karim harking the names of famous science books to lure the young customers that search for the perfect match. Karim’s dedication is evident from his dazzling eyes focusing solely on his daily target. To continue what his father had started in 2015 has been his sole motivation in running the book business. He has always been a great seller but the birth of online platforms did throw a challenge at him. Earlier he had to focus on being better than the ones beside him but now he has to stay updated about the services provided virtually. But to meet the demands of his customers he did find a way and thus, he uses WhatsApp to reach out to both new and existing customers. To keep the old tradition alive Tariful continues to accept old books to purchase the new ones at a lower cost.

Established in 2008, Asha Bookstall is run by Sheikh Aktar Ahmed at present. The bookstall was a result of having a source of income to run his family. While walking the streets of college street this young boy decided to pursue a career that would give him the opportunity to be amidst books alongside having a source of income. He started working in book stalls to gain experience for 10 to 12 years after which to increase his earnings he started his own venture. At times when there are no customers, he passes his time speaking with the workmates in his store and the ones beside over cups of tea. Earlier sales for school books were very high but now since the government has taken the initiative to provide the books to the school kids, the daily sales of the booksellers have dropped. Aktar states that his business has also been a victim of online sellers. Students can be assured to get their old books exchanged for new at Asha Bookstall.

Md Sajid runs this ancestral business which was started in 1888 by his great grandfather in the name of Noor Books. He believes in staying updated with time and thus sells books through online platforms as well. He sets up stalls in various book fairs both in Kolkata and in the districts of West Bengal. He has 2 to 3 outlets of his book stall which keeps him busy throughout the day. Added to that are the online platforms that keeps him occupied along with his daily wandering for collection of books to keep the stock updated which he does by himself. An impressive collection of novels, story books in English, Hindi, Bengali fills up the historic space of Noor Books. Eyes searching for rare books which are 100 to 150 years old that are no longer printed then Noor Books is the perfect place to hunt for.

Following the legacy Mr. Seal had given life to in the year 1967, Book Friend is now being run by his son Ranjit Seal. Online book selling could not hit the progress of Book Friend since it’s a wholesale business that he has been running. His busy schedule does not allow him to chat with friends during shop hours. The stall is well stocked with Bengali story books of all authors and publishers that will never disappoint an ardent Bengali reader. Mr. Seal maintains the protocol of selling first hand books only. Second hand books are accepted to keep the book moving and alive.

Higher Academic Book Stall, located between University and Grad School is the famous Higher Academic Book Stall running for 30 to 40 years now. Previously known as Kabita Bookstall has been reborn with a new name in a different location. After completing his graduation from Bongobashini college Mr Aktar started working with various publishing companies that inspired him to begin his own book business. He then shifted to selling books in stalls of college street. Online bookstores have been the only hindrance in the path of making a good business. The ratio of buyers has decreased drastically since readers are getting to receive books from the comfort of their houses. Even sellers from college street have started selling online which have affected the sellers who function through offline mode only. 

While our eyes search for the perfect book our hearts desire to get a little discount and at College Street all your desires get to breathe. Every seller you go to will definitely give you a heavy discount of 10% to 70%. A steal deal that is given at Noor Books, purchase any of the books from the Rs 100 lot and get a chance to exchange the same for something else then after any period of time you will avail Rs 50 off on your new purchase. This policy is maintained to avoid the extinction and promotion of circulation of the books. Select from the range of medical books, management books, engineering, textbooks catering to the West Bengal board, Higher Secondary board and the Delhi boards, books for college pursuing their BA B. Com and B.Sc. degrees, books for post-graduate students, books for competitive exams, popular and rare novels. Second hand books of plus two or high school students are accepted and exchanged for new books.

For every book lover, student, professionals, business men in Kolkata, College Street has always been the path to writers and publishers. Not just a street but an emotion that lives with its visitors endlessly. Here, time and again every seller at the stalls have overcome great turmoil be it the heavy rains, the storms or the pandemic. But, where on one hand certain sellers have embraced the drawbacks faced due to online platforms and are now benefiting from the same, on the other hand there are sellers who do not wish to leave the past to join the modern club. Keeping traditions alive is all that they look forward to even at the cost of losing out on increasing sales. Maintaining the old charm of the boi para is a heritage we all yearn to preserve but will this legacy yield us the future that we all have envisioned?

Store Timings: 10:30 am to 7:30 pm/12 pm to 8pm 

Picture: meer.com