Many summers when life was so innocent that blood from three sons could be directly transferred to their ailing mother and lapped up by credulous masses — remember Amar Akbar Anthony ? — there used to be a bazaar of comics. Away from the endlessly popular Rama Book Depot in Lajpat Nagar’s Central Market and not too close to Nai Sarak’s Patli Gali wali dukaan, there was a huge used books market where the sky brought up the canopy and you had to mind your step lest you inadvertently touch a book, notebook or a magazine.
It is here as a child that I gathered my collection of “Archie’s”, “Phantom”, “Lot Pot” and “Madhu Muskan”. And occasionally, I would pick up a “Champak” or a “Nandan”.
Life, to my young mind, was nothing but a series of comic books. So whenever I had a few rupees with me — which, admittedly, was not often — I would go across to Daryaganj book market that sprung up on the pavement every Sunday. Leaving all classics of English literature and the works of the likes of Ismat Chughtai, Manto and Premchand, my eyes would rest on a semi-torn three-year-old issue of “Lot Pot”. Else, Jughead-Veronica caught my attention. And when I tried to look seriously studious, I would stand in front of the man selling back issues of “Sportsweek”, “Sportsworld” and later “The Sportstar”.
As primary and middle school gave way to senior school, I understood there was place in life, and indeed on my book shelf for the story of Boldwood, related so beautifully by Thomas Hardy in “Far From the Madding Crowd”. Talking of far from the madding crowd, the Daryaganj weekend market is anything but that. For peace of mind and leisure of reading, Delhi offers more upmarket, much more contemporary addresses. Like the Oxford Book Store, or the swanky stores in Khan Market. Not to forget Landmark and the rest. The books are so neatly lined up that you would wonder if taking a book away for reading would destroy the delicate symmetry of the shelf! Not to belittle the little rugs at your feet, the comfortable armrest, and convenient push-back seats! Add to it a mug of hot steaming coffee in winters, cappuccino at others, and life was meant to be savoured with books and friends.
Some Sunday though go walking to Daryaganj. The booksellers are often old men who can relate an anecdote or two. The books are often a bit torn and not always without a scribble or two. But it is here that you can lay your hands on the book online sellers told you were out of print. It is here that Premchand comes for Rs.15.
There is life between the covers.
