<p>Akruti Books, a hub for book lovers in west Bengaluru, has shut down its store in Rajajinagar and moved to Basavanagudi. The new store opened its doors to the public last week.</p>.<p>Since opening in 2010, the bookstore and publishing house has made a name for itself for offering a curated collection of new and secondhand books in both English and Kannada. With the new store, the aim is to make space for more progressive literature — with a focus on anti-caste sentiments and the pluralism of Indian society, shares Guruprasad D N, owner. “Because of the onslaught of online bookstores, it’s getting more and more difficult for independent bookstores to sustain themselves. The only solution is to create a niche brand. Going forward I will be stocking more books by smaller publishers from across the country such as Navayana from New Delhi and South Side Books from Hyderabad. We will strictly not be stocking any books released with the aim to polarise the society,” he tells Metrolife. The new store houses over 10,000 books, mainly in English and Kannada.</p>.<p>He plans to organise a minimum of two events at the store every month — one for adults and one for children. At the inaugural event last week, he organised a discussion on ‘The Sum of Equality: Kabir, Ambedkar, and Buddha’.</p>.<p>Guruprasad believes that the new location will help increase footfall. “Basavanagudi and the surrounding areas are culturally rich in nature. Lots of literary events take place around this part of the city. I’m hoping that will have a positive impact on the store. Plus, since the closure of Nagasri Book House in Jayanagar last year, many customers have been asking me to shift to south Bengaluru,” he adds.</p>.<p>On February 9, 5 pm, Akruti Books will host a discussion on the book ‘A Part Apart: The Life and Thought of B R Ambedkar’. The event will feature the author Ashok Gopal, political thinker and activist Kotiganahalli Ramaiah, and Vijayashanthi Murthy, assistant professor of English at a college in Ashok Nagar.</p>
<p>Akruti Books, a hub for book lovers in west Bengaluru, has shut down its store in Rajajinagar and moved to Basavanagudi. The new store opened its doors to the public last week.</p>.<p>Since opening in 2010, the bookstore and publishing house has made a name for itself for offering a curated collection of new and secondhand books in both English and Kannada. With the new store, the aim is to make space for more progressive literature — with a focus on anti-caste sentiments and the pluralism of Indian society, shares Guruprasad D N, owner. “Because of the onslaught of online bookstores, it’s getting more and more difficult for independent bookstores to sustain themselves. The only solution is to create a niche brand. Going forward I will be stocking more books by smaller publishers from across the country such as Navayana from New Delhi and South Side Books from Hyderabad. We will strictly not be stocking any books released with the aim to polarise the society,” he tells Metrolife. The new store houses over 10,000 books, mainly in English and Kannada.</p>.<p>He plans to organise a minimum of two events at the store every month — one for adults and one for children. At the inaugural event last week, he organised a discussion on ‘The Sum of Equality: Kabir, Ambedkar, and Buddha’.</p>.<p>Guruprasad believes that the new location will help increase footfall. “Basavanagudi and the surrounding areas are culturally rich in nature. Lots of literary events take place around this part of the city. I’m hoping that will have a positive impact on the store. Plus, since the closure of Nagasri Book House in Jayanagar last year, many customers have been asking me to shift to south Bengaluru,” he adds.</p>.<p>On February 9, 5 pm, Akruti Books will host a discussion on the book ‘A Part Apart: The Life and Thought of B R Ambedkar’. The event will feature the author Ashok Gopal, political thinker and activist Kotiganahalli Ramaiah, and Vijayashanthi Murthy, assistant professor of English at a college in Ashok Nagar.</p>