Features
Striking gold in the yellowing pages of faded ink and dry dust
Second-hand bookshops of Maradana
By Tharishi Hewavithanagamage
Books quench our thirst for knowledge. Sir Francis Bacon’s famous quote ‘Reading maketh a full man,’ refers to the notion that by reading, one is able to fill the mind with knowledge relating to a variety of topics. Literature often enables a person to enter and explore territories which are difficult to explore in person, and it expands the imaginative capabilities of the mind by helping the reader perceive ideas they might find foreign. Through books, we learn about how things work, understand different cultures, and comprehend histories. We can learn new languages, how to improve ourselves and even how to build things. The right books are full of useful information that helps us become smarter, sharper, skilled and more open to new ideas.
The old-fashioned secondhand bookshops lining the D. R. Wijewardena Mawatha are hard to miss, but something that may not be instantly evident to the casual onlooker, is the sheer volume of literature and knowledge contained within the walls of each deceptively tiny shop.
The tale begins with one Premadasa Weerarathna who was the pioneer in the used book business in Maradana. He is credited with paving the way for other book shops to prop up on the same block. Premadasa Weerarathna was a soldier in the British Royal Navy and in the 1940s he was severely injured following a gas explosion. Unfortunately, he lost his left arm and right leg, putting an end to his military career. He was assisted by the British High Commission in Colombo, who regularly sent him prosthetic limbs, along with a pension. It was then that he decided to set up shop, at first on the pavement outside the Maradana railway station, selling and lending books acquired from various distributors. He began collecting English novels and Reader’s Digest from his old colleagues in the Navy, for which there was a big demand, as it was cheap, and there was a big demand for English readings at the time. They also received new books delivered by businessmen who would go around delivering and collecting books to and from rich households in Colombo for around 50 cents, at the time.
Reading was popular although the book trade wasn’t popular as it is nowadays. However, Premadasa being an ingenious man was able to gather a regular customer base and built an up-and-coming business. The shop’s collection began expanding to include rare novels and other highly sought-after books, which put them on the map. Leading up to the Non-Aligned Summit that was held in Colombo in 1976, a majority of the shops in Maradana were relocated and the Premadasa Bookshop was moved to its current location on D. R. Wijewardena Mawatha. Not long after, many others entered the book trade and set up shop in the vicinity.
In 1976, with Premadasa’s guidance, his former assistant, Peter Appuhamy established his own shop, ‘Peters Bookshop,’ which now stands two doors away from the old Premadasa Bookshop. In the same year, Premadasa encouraged Sarath S.T. Hannadige, his nephew to start his own book shop, and so the old ‘Premadasa Bookshop’ became ‘Sarath Books.’ Although the founders no longer work in these shops, their knowledge and skills have been passed down to the newer, younger generations.
The shops are home to books full of faded ink, dry dust, and many untouched chapters. They receive a majority of their books from their own customers who do not want to throw away their collections, so the little shops are crammed with a variety of tomes, from the latest in popular fiction and chic-lit in profusion, to novels (both Sinhala and English), textbooks of various subjects, self-help books, and magazines. It’s akin to digging through a gold mine, and one would strike gold if they happen to come across a book that is no longer in print, or is the last remaining copy of its kind. Everything available in these shops are sold at an affordable rate. The bookshops also have lending services (mostly for novels), for those unable or unwilling to purchase.
“It’s true that technology is advancing every day and we see a majority of the younger generation leaning towards things like e-books, audio books and so on. Some people are so occupied with their work that they cannot find time to read or enjoy other leisure activities. But there are people who still enjoy reading a book, flipping through the pages and simply enjoying the tangibility of it all. We also get a lot of parents coming this way, looking for foreign textbooks that are generally very expensive. We provide them with used books in good condition at an affordable rate,” the owners explained.
Although times have changed, their most loyal customers have been coming to the bookshops for many years, sometimes bringing in the younger generations along with them. It’s not surprising that people want to re-visit the shops given that they receive the best customer care from the good-humored owners. “Our top priority are our customers. We have customers of all ages coming in, looking for books that you can’t normally find in popular bookstores. Besides, we have no use in hoarding books, so our goal is to pass on the invaluable knowledge stored in these pages. We want our customers to gain something by reading,” said one book seller. The rapport they maintain is vital to the longevity of the bookshops.
Conversely, there is also a silver lining to all these technological advancements. The existence of social media platforms has allowed people to reach a large audience, all in one space, and the ability to interact freely. A few owners have launched online platforms and websites, and even carryout delivery services, in order to expand, cater to and interact with a larger audience. “Not everyone knows that we exist on this tiny strip of land. We have a website and a social media platform to reach out, but I don’t plan to direct my business activities online. I’m not very tech-savvy,” said Sanjaya S.T. Hannadige, the current owner of Sarath Books.
However, they are not without complaints and they share their own set of challenges. When asked about how they were affected during the COVID-19 lockdown, many admitted that it was difficult and not good for business. But they understand the pros and cons of being in the book-trade. They hope that business will return to normal as lockdown initiatives have ended and the economy is almost back on track. The lack of sanitary facilities and space in the shops are just a few of the problems that aggravate the situation.
“We pay a monthly rent to the municipal council here, and yet, even basic facilities are not available to us or the customers. We’d also like to make our shops a little more spacious,” they explained. Furthermore, with urban development projects working their way through cities, the bookshops and their original location is threatened. “We’ve been here for a long time, and many of our loyal customers, have been visiting us here for many years. The structures still stand as a sign of authenticity and originality, while the environment surrounding the shops adds to the general ambiance as well.”
Regardless of the problems they face and the many improvements required to develop the area, both the customers and sellers continue their day with broad smiles on their faces. “The book trade isn’t what it used to be. But it isn’t all that bad. We’re happy to be working here. It gives me a sense of happiness,” one said. They are hopeful that someday someone, be it the municipal council or the government, will look into their problems and aid them in preserving their trade and location, as it is a part of Sri Lanka’s history. They are also well-known among tourists and serve as a tourist destination, which is important, considering Sri Lanka has a significant tourism sector. In their last remarks about their future prospects, some mentioned that they hope to establish branches at other locations, especially in the more rural areas, where it is difficult for people to get access to books and other texts freely. They are hopeful that their businesses will flourish and that people will take more interest in preserving the art of reading and gathering knowledge, as the country gets back on its feet.
For those avid readers, collectors, bookworms, or those simply looking to check these bookshops out, head to D. R. Wijewardena Mawatha and dive into their treasure trove. The owners will be more than happy to assist and help any and all customers find exactly what they are looking for. Some shops will take part at the Colombo International Book Fair in ‘Hall H’ at the BMICH. Book lovers can surf books of Priyankara Bookshop at www.2ndhandbooks.lk and Sarath Books at http://sarathbooks.lk/. They also have a Facebook page of the same name. The knowledge offered between the walls of the shops are infinite and priceless, and it is anyone’s for the taking, and at the end of the day it could be the best step taken forward to building a better individual, society, country and world.
Pics by Jude Denzil Pathiraja