Govindaraju. On a Selling Spree

Among his vast collection of rare newspapers and old journals is a copy of the first issue of The Indian Express — of 1932 vintage. And that can also be bought from S A Govindaraju, who after spending a life time building a literary treasure trove with passion, is planning to hang up his boots. At the age of 77, the voracious collector no more looks out for books or other things to add to his collection but looks for worthy buyers.  In fact, the man has preserved his collection carefully for 45 years, is now choosy about buyers, who are expected to prove their credentials to him. “I don’t sell my books to those who don’t love them,” he says.

Having inherited the passion — and also half the collection, which now comprises around 2000 books, magazines, newspapers, print advertisements,  jewellery catalogues and other things —  from his father, who was a doctor by profession, Govindaraju carried on the tradition till very recently when he realised that he can no longer preserve the treasure trove for long. All his children live abroad and they may not be able to maintain the huge collection, he feels.

So the precious possession is kept at the garage of his house in Raja Annamalai Puram (No 45/50, Second Main Road), which is regularly browsed through by people keen on picking up a piece or the other.

IAS officers, professors, politicians, celebrities and book lovers are among the visitors to the garage-turned-library, notable among them being actress Gautami and cartoonist Keshav.

The collection has a wide range of articles from jewellery catalogues to literary works, novels, books on philosophy, politics, spirituality, old Punch magazines, Harpers monthly magazine (1879), Penquin and Pelican publications, early advertisements for Lux soap, Titan watches, old Tamil magazines like Anandha Vikatan, Kalki and also painting of artist Silpi.

An alumni of Madras School of Social Work, Govindaraju had worked for companies like the  defunt B&C Mills, TVS and MRF, besides practising as an independent labour law consultant. Then he taught at the University of Madras in the Department of Politics and Public Administration.

The incorrigible book lover, however, has one concern: ‘The book industry is dying.’ He also has a grievance: Book collectors like him are not allowed to sell old books at the annual book exhibition in Chennai.

(Govindaraju can  be contacted on 9941132756 or at renuka_govindaraju@yahoo.com)