R. K. Alwar, known popularly as Alwar who has been running a much-sought-after streetside shop of used books off Luz Church Road has lost his wife. She was 63.
A. Mary, who helped her husband run this business that has served hundreds of Mylaporeans for over 50 years passed away on January 30. A resident of Mandaveli, she was buried at the Chennai Corporation graveyard on St. Mary’s Road.
The shop which is essentially of hundreds of used books, mostly meant for school and college students stacked on the pavement and stored under a tarpaulin is located close to the gate of the Mylapore Club.
Off and on, civic officials have attempted to clear it, treating it as an encroachment but Alwar’s family has refused to move out.
A few years ago, Sundaram Finance decorated Alwar with its annual ‘Spirit of Mylapore’ award which is given at the ‘Mylapore Festival’ which the company supports wholly.
Alwar though has been restricted to his house after he suffered a paralytic attack. Since then, Mary had taken care of a business that has dwindled in recent years.
The family resides at 6/15, Periyapalli Street, Mandavelipakkam ( the street alongside St. Anthony’s Girls School).
I know Alwar since 1954. He had a large collection of old books. Though not educated, he could pick the books one wants from the haphazard heap of books. Great personalities like Rajaji, C.N. Annadurai had visited the shop for buying rare books. In a way he was rendering great service to the student community who visited his shop for their requirement of books at low cost. Mary kept up his tradition and continued the business without any blemish.