Even if can't understand the language, a visit to stores that sell Bengali books is a memorable experience. Ananda (pictured) is the public outlet for Kolkata's premier publisher of Bengali literature.
Ananda —
Even if can't understand the language, a visit to stores that sell Bengali books is a memorable experience. Ananda (pictured) is the public outlet for Kolkata's premier publisher of Bengali literature.
Anuradha Sengupta/CNN
At Ananda, you can pick up books on Shantiniketan's famous alpona art and Bengali comic books with panels in gorgeous watercolor featuring Feluda, filmmaker Satyajit Ray's iconic sleuth.
Sharp fiction —
At Ananda, you can pick up books on Shantiniketan's famous alpona art and Bengali comic books with panels in gorgeous watercolor featuring Feluda, filmmaker Satyajit Ray's iconic sleuth.
Anuradha Sengupta/CNN
Seagull Books' annual catalog is something of a collector's item. This year the cover is embroidered silk. Inside are gilt-edged pages full of excerpts from books, illustrations, photos and correspondence between translators and publishers. <br />
Seagull Books —
Seagull Books' annual catalog is something of a collector's item. This year the cover is embroidered silk. Inside are gilt-edged pages full of excerpts from books, illustrations, photos and correspondence between translators and publishers.
Anuradha Sengupta/CNN
Seagull Books started as a theater and art press before Naveen Kishore built it into a top-notch publisher. The shop features a range of books on Indian art, theater, literature and cinema.
Gorgeous titles —
Seagull Books started as a theater and art press before Naveen Kishore built it into a top-notch publisher. The shop features a range of books on Indian art, theater, literature and cinema.
Anuradha Sengupta/CNN
Set up by husband and wife duo Bharat and Vinita Mansatta (pictured), Earthcare emphasizes books that cover ecological issues. Also a publisher, Bharat penned one of the shop's bestsellers, "The Vision of Natural Farming."
Earthcare Books —
Set up by husband and wife duo Bharat and Vinita Mansatta (pictured), Earthcare emphasizes books that cover ecological issues. Also a publisher, Bharat penned one of the shop's bestsellers, "The Vision of Natural Farming."
Courtesy Vinita Mansatta
Established in 1920, Oxford Bookstore on Park Street offers the city's widest range of Indian and international titles. Mr. Motwani (front right) is an in-house consultant who has been with the bookstore for more than 60 years. He offers suggestions on what to read.
Oxford Bookstore —
Established in 1920, Oxford Bookstore on Park Street offers the city's widest range of Indian and international titles. Mr. Motwani (front right) is an in-house consultant who has been with the bookstore for more than 60 years. He offers suggestions on what to read.
Anuradha Sengupta/CNN
Just a handful of the old letterpress operators are left on Chitpur Road, a former center of India's printing industry. One of the better remaining examples is Bisjwanath Bag's press. Visitors can get Bag to compose a page by hand for $4.
Bisjwanath Bag's press —
Just a handful of the old letterpress operators are left on Chitpur Road, a former center of India's printing industry. One of the better remaining examples is Bisjwanath Bag's press. Visitors can get Bag to compose a page by hand for $4.
Anuradha Sengupta/CNN
Between the milieu of shoe shops in front of the Grand Hotel, Foreign Publishers Agency is the go-to place for books on sociology, film studies, literary criticism, anthropology, modern science, semiotics and other technical subjects.
Foreign Publishers Agency —
Between the milieu of shoe shops in front of the Grand Hotel, Foreign Publishers Agency is the go-to place for books on sociology, film studies, literary criticism, anthropology, modern science, semiotics and other technical subjects.
Anuradha Sengupta/CNN