Old Books Deccan: An online store keeping second-hand books alive

Indian Express

3 days ago

Written by Kavyaa Masurkar and Antara Kulkarni
In a city where rooms stocking second-hand books are getting replaced by larger chain bookstores, Samir Kalarkop's storehouse, known as Old Books Deccan, remains a haven for bibliophiles wishing to purchase a wide variety of second-hand novels, plays, short-stories, and poetry of various languages, at low prices.
Kalarkop spent his childhood around books, with his father opening their own bookstore in 1965. Having built a passion for literature over the next few decades, Kalarkop decided to take over the business in 2002, after graduating college. 'Even without WhatsApp or Facebook at that time, the business of books was strong. So, I believed I could help it grow,' Kalarkop says.
In 2013, he took the business online by creating a WhatsApp group for his dedicated readers and posting the new reads he would acquire. 'WhatsApp was just emerging, and I thought I should take advantage of this new tool,' he elaborates.
As he began to grow his online community, he noticed a need for a new group, solely dedicated to rare books. 'I would get requests from various people to hold first-editions and other rare books I'd have. I wanted a more systematic approach,' Kalarkop says. Though the auctions originally occurred in his first group, excessive demand necessitated the creation of another group exclusively for bidding wars.
These auctions typically last for an hour or two, with members actively bidding in real time. 'I give a fixed time slot, and whoever places the highest bid by the end gets the book. It's thrilling for them — especially when it's a book they have been chasing for years,' Kalarkop explains.
The books up for auction are carefully selected — often rare first editions, out-of-print volumes, or historically significant publications, particularly in Marathi.
'If it's a book on Maratha history, or something deeply rooted in local culture, people go after it more aggressively,' he says. For example, titles like Tatyasaheb Kore or regional publications tied to Maharashtra's freedom movement carry deep emotional value. 'These books are more than just literature — they are memory, heritage,' Kalarkop adds.
The price range, too, reflects this diversity, with some books available for as low as Rs 30 and rare collector's items sometimes going up to Rs 1,000 or even Rs 1,500. 'I try to keep it accessible. There's something for every kind of reader,' Kalarkop says.
Over the years, the audience for his books has also shifted. 'In the beginning, it was mostly older readers or working professionals — people who grew up reading and wanted to revisit that world,' he recalls. 'Now, I'm seeing more and more young people — college students, fresh graduates — who are genuinely interested. That's been rewarding,' he adds.
But acquiring these rare finds is no small task. Kalarkop sources his books through an elaborate informal network built over decades. 'I get books from libraries, from people who've finished reading and want to pass them on, from radhiwalas and scrap dealers,' he mentions.
Even handcart vendors from nearby villages sometimes bring in hidden treasures. 'Some of my best finds have come wrapped in old newspapers from someone's attic,' he adds. Most of the titles are in Marathi and English, though he occasionally stocks Hindi books too.
Kalarkop's physical presence is just as important as his digital one. Though he doesn't run a formal store, Old Books Deccan sets up weekly stalls in Pune's Deccan area. For years, these pop-ups have drawn loyal customers who browse through curated bundles of books placed in old cloth bags and labelled cups — a first-come, first-serve system that has become part of the charm.
In a world shifting rapidly toward online bookstores and e-readers, Kalarkop remains committed to keeping second-hand books alive — not just as commodities, but as cultural artefacts.
The authors are currently interning at The Indian Express