Remembering Ram Advani

To mark the 97th birth anniversary of Ram Advani, an iconic bookseller, Sanatkada organised a memorial service at its campus in Kaiserbagh on Wednesday.

The ceremony saw participation of booklovers from diverse walks of life, who gathered at Sanatkada just to relive their memories with the celebrated bookseller. Ram Advani passed away on March 9, 2016 at the age of 95. It was the second meet where the booklovers and his near and dear ones shared their bonding with Advani who was also an avid golfer.

“He is missed a lot, not just as a book seller but as a good companion and the one whose contribution to books and scholarship is unmatchable,” said retired Justice Vishnu Sahai as he reminisced about his friendship with Advani.

Other book lovers Pramesh Agarwal said as a reader, Advani sir’s death left a deep impact on him. “I have never imagined Lucknow without Advani sir, he is missed a lot,” said Agarwal. Madhavi Kuckreja of Sanatkada too shared her views about the iconic bookseller.

Other session saw an eclectic mix of readings in Hindi, English and Urdu. Tasleem Mahmud read Gulzar’s poem Kitabein while Noor Khan read her own writing on the love for reading. Ayesha Siddiqui and Ruth Chakravarty also read chosen texts on the occasion. Advani’s sister Mohini Manglik and daughter Radhika were also present on the occasion.

The session was followed by an open discussion, where people from the audience too shared their views and book lovers also recounted their memories of Advani.

In April 2016 Sanatkada had launched the Ram Advani Book Corner at its campus which has secondhand books gifted to them by its friends. Books are sold at giveaway prices. The idea is to share great works and the gift of books. The contribution collected supports cultural activities held at Sanatkada ka Adda. Born in Karachi in 1920, Ram Advani ran bookshops in Lahore and Simla before setting up shop in Lucknow. Ram Advani Booksellers, in Mayfair building, Hazratganj, had over the years drawn celebrated writers, scholars, and book lovers. The shop closed down earlier this year. .