Metrolife has compiled a list of places managed by city public institutions where you can read and buy books. The reading material includes fiction, non-fiction, history, autobiographies and doctoral theses.

Kannada Pustaka Pradhikara

The institution, which is under the aegis of the Kannada and Culture Ministry, houses more than 2,000 book titles.

Ambika, in-charge sales manager at Kannada Pustaka Pradhikara, says all the works published by the department can be found here. “Currently, works of writers and poets like Chandrashekhara Kambara, Arakalagudu Narasingarao Krishna Rao (aka Anakru), Gourish Kaikini, DV Gundappa (aka DVG), Siddayya Puranik and K Marulasiddappa are available,” she adds. Some of the most popular books include DVG’s ‘Jeevana Dharma Yoga’ and Anakru’s history book on Vijayanagara emperor Krishnadevaraya. Some Sanskrit books are also available. The department is located at Kannada Bhavan, JC Road.

Opening hours: 10 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. (Monday to Saturday)

Call: 080 2210 7705. To buy books visit kannadapustakapradhikara.com

The Parishat’s main focus is on publishing the Kannada-English and Kannada-Kannada dictionary ‘Nikhandu’. The Chamarajpet-based institution translates ‘Halegannada’ (old Kannada) books into modern Kannada. The bookshop has been in existence since 1917 and offers books from over 100 years ago.

NS Sreedhara Murthy, head of publication, says that one can find more than 2,100 publications here. “We have translated works of Pampa, Ponna and Ranna, Kanaka Dasa and Kumara Vyasa. We also have ‘Kumara Vyasa Bharata’ in stock. It was available for
2 rupees in 1956 and was a household name,” he says. Scientific works like “Pampa Bharata”, “Adi Purana” and “Rajashekara Vilasa” are some of the most sought-after titles.

“We have also published rare academic papers, such as Vivek Rai’s thesis on Tulu folklore. Commercial publishers stay away from such works,” adds Murthy.

Opening hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Monday to Saturday)

The institution’s new building at Jnana Jyothi Nagar, opposite Kalagrama, houses a library and a bookshop. The library contains around 37,000 books, including fiction and non-fiction of various genres.

The Academy has published works in 24 Indian languages, including Assamese, Bengali, Rajasthani, Sanskrit, Santhali, Bodo, Dogri, Tamil, Telugu and Urdu.

Opening hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Monday to Friday)

Contact: [email protected]

Indian Institute of World Culture

Founded in 1945, the Indian Institute of World Culture (IIWC) is located in Basavanagudi. Its library has over 90,000 books, including works in Kannada, English, Tamil and Sanskrit. Rukmini N Kumar, librarian at the IIWC, points out that one can find fiction, non-fiction, poetry, philosophy, and art and culture here. “Our English-language books on world history, Asian and Southeast Asian history and American history are popular,” she adds. Books in Kannada by authors SL Bhyrappa, Sudha Murty and Saisuthe are in demand. The IIWC library also accepts book donations and holds book sales in May and November.

Opening hours: 9:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. (Tuesday to Sunday)