When every word is a treasure

Mona

It’s not for nothing they say that books make the best companions. Words printed on paper, something to hold on to; turn pages, smell and weigh...can never be replaced by Kindle! Meet these bibliophiles who not only make sure they spend a significant time of their lives in company of books, but have also dedicated the best corner of their homes to books!

Poetic justice

Way back during the 70’s, a journey that started with a book a month at Rs 20 through Reader’s Digest has grown to full volumes by Charles Dickens and Somerset Maugham now. Sprinkle in some more...right from crime to romance to spirituality, and that’s AR Rajwade’s library for you. A whopping 35 years of teaching mathematics in Panjab University, Rajwade hasn’t stopped learning. As we step into his world of fact and fiction beautifully enclosed by all green in sector 8, we find him painstakingly giving finishing touches to murals that he is making with Rajsathani gemstones. So amongst the topaz, agate, amethyst, carnelian and their colourful world, as we see books breathing life, we chat! “I am all for poetic justice,” opens up the very pleasant septuagenarian, pointing towards neat rows of fairytales and crime fiction. 

Now not as prolific a reader, he admits, “A book now lasts me two months.” Currently it’s not the classics or legends that catch his imagination, but spirituality — right from Rumi, Guru Nanak, St. John to Kabir.

Artiste’s abode

Theatre director, painter, writer and more, Zubin Mehta needs little from life but a ride to the hills with his Ruskin Bond! At his home, under progress, green is the colour at the moment mixed with brown. The books here aren’t neatly classified according to genres but randomly put, some peeping out of boxes. While there are rows of books on theatre and its craft, there is Prem Chand, Gulzar, Arundhati Roy and Dalai Lama too.

It was The Last Leaf by O. Henry that left an indelible imprint on young Zubin’s mind and as one looks over the serene, green terrace towards Fateh Burj, Chappar Chiri, one knows it was a journey for good. And if you believe in give and take, this one is okay to barter books! 

Love of life

Apart from obtaining a PhD from Trinity College, Rumina Sethi also brought along a love for books from Cambridge. Step into her home in Panjab University campus that she shares with partner Shelley Walia, another avid-book lover, tomes are not restricted to the study but spread all over! An impressive black cabinet next to the door; bottom shelf of the side table and every nook and cranny has shelves designed to accommodate their true love of life. As one spots and meanders the way to the study, one cannot help but exclaim in joy. A pretty blend of traditional and modern, the personal workspace-cum-study of the Chairperson, Department of English and Cultural Studies, is rich not only in books also in background of the garden behind! 

The large glass windows overlook green expanse and one corner has the work table, elegant and tasteful seating with books neatly categorised, according to genres, on the sides. “On my right side are histories of colonialism and nationalism, my areas of specialization,” she shares. Shelley’s shelves betray his interest in international politics and cultural studies. Then there are volumes and volumes of fiction, the Penguin collections, poetry, 18th and 19th century first editions of books on Classical Western music—their joint passion. “I owe my love for the printed word largely to my years spent in Oxford and Cambridge. Whether it was the availability of classics at prices as low as 10 pence at an antiquarian bookshop or purchases made at the Blackwell Book Store, right across the road from the formidable Bodleian Library at Oxford, where one could end up buying any title one wanted, everything culminated into some 10,000 plus collection between the two of us.”

While in her early days, Rumina would track down and make a note of every book that left her shelves, she is now definitely more giving. “I realise how selfish it would be to not share this wealth of knowledge.” You see her often give away her books to her students, if only to make more room for the new volumes that she cannot wait to lay her hands on.

Back in business

Drishinder Sandhawalia has misplaced one book by AC Grayling since a few days and has not been able to keep peace ever since. Such is the passion that this man holds for thousands of books that occupy prime space in his abode in Sector 5, Chandigarh; some of them left by his father, a huge volume added by him. With history and philosophy being his area of interest, Drish has come back a full circle from his school days in St Columba’s, Delhi, when he would not only use his book entitlement but also that of his friend! “I did lose touch with reading, but now I am back with vigour. My preference has moved from fiction to philosophy and politics largely,” shares Drishinder. Christopher Hitchens and Philip Bobbitt remain his current favourites. 

mona@tribunemail.com