R.K. Alwar's Daughters Keep Historic Mylapore Book Shop Running Against Odds
The daughters of the late R.K. Alwar have continued running the iconic Alwar Book Shop on Luz Church Road in Mylapore, honoring their father's final wish to keep the business alive despite ongoing challenges. Ammu and Julie have managed the bookstore since their father passed away in 2018, refusing to close down despite the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and nearby Metro Rail construction.
The ongoing Metro Rail work has made the bookstore difficult to access. Barricades and route diversions have discouraged many regular visitors, leading to a conspicuous lull at the once-bustling pavement book shop. While multiple retail businesses around Luz Corner and this section of Luz Church Road have closed down, the two sisters have held on to their promise.
In addition to physical disruptions, the bookstore has faced shifting reading habits induced by digital technology. Despite these hurdles, a steady group of loyal patrons continues to visit the shop out of affection for the late founder.
The sisters take turns looking after the bookstore, with both living just a short distance away. The shop was a central part of their family life. After her marriage, the sisters' mother, Mary, joined Alwar in managing the shop. Mary also passed away in 2018.
According to Ammu, neither of their parents had extensive formal education, but they shared an immense love for literature. Their mother, whose own mother worked as a nanny at Good Shepherd Convent, spoke English beautifully. Ammu recalled that both of her parents knew books and authors better than most people she has met.
For Alwar, the bookstore was a lifelong dream that he started in 1939 when he was about 16 years old. Ammu remembered that her father never spent a single night away from the shop and would brave torrential downpours to ensure the books did not get wet.
The sisters remain committed to keeping the legacy alive. Ammu stated that she believes her father has never truly left the bookstore, which gives them the strength to continue even on their hardest days.
Located on Luz Church Road, the Alwar Book Shop is open from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. It offers a selection of fiction, non-fiction, and academic books.
