FYI -- I was able to find and visit Streelekha (see below) -- which carries a wide range of books on social/feminist issues, some literature, etc. Had little time to spend there, but for those on the list who are living in India and looking for a source for non-mainstream writings and perspectives on various issues this would be a good resource for you. Address & phone below in Deepa Reddy's post. Another landmark for finding the place that should be known to most auto-ricksha drivers is that it is south on Cambridge from the police station at the (more or less) junction of Ulsoor Rd/Bazaar St and MG Rd. After a few blocks turn west on the residential Jeevankendra layout to No 15/55, where it is located on the first floor of a residential-type building. Better yet, call for directions before setting out, as I'm not sure where turns are permitted, etc. Tel 536-0311.

Of more interest to general list members are the following bookstores, all of which carry South Asian literature, none of whom have everything:

STD code for Bangalore is 080 for all phones & faxes above & below. If dialing from overseas, omit the first 0 (i.e.[overseas operator #]- 91-80-xxx-xxxx)[I know most everyone knows this, but some may not...]

Premier Book Shop, 46/1 Church St, Bglr 560001, Ph.558-8570 or 509-1220 -- this is the famous overcrowded piled around bookstore with the owner of knowledge who can miraculously find what you are looking for in the towers of books stacked all around. Find it about 1/2 block S of MG Rd, about 1/4 block east of the big junction at St. Marks near which you will find Koshy's.

Gangaram's, 72 M.G. Rd, Bglr 560001, Ph 558-6743, 558-7277, 558-8015, fax: 558-7540. Email: gangarams@giasbg01.vsnl.net.in -- This is the biggie on multiple floors above MG Rd that has a whole floor devoted to cards,gifts, and non-book items. You want the Second Floor (up 3 flights) and will be directed to the Penguin India corner. To find other publishers of literature by Indian authors, head to the rear of the store and on the center side of the low cases next over from the Penguin aisle, you may find the Macmillan series, Manas publications, etc. Prepare to kneel, and for clerks to give you blank looks or send you upstairs, etc. if you have questions. There is one man (short-ish, young-ish) who is usually swamped at the computer desk who knows what's what and where.

Higginbotham's , 68 MG Rd, Bglr 560001, Ph. 558-7359, 558-6574 -- just a few doors down from Gangaram's. They have less, but may have what you want. .

Nationwide Books, #39, 2nd Floor, United Mansion, MG Rd, Bglr 560001, Ph 558-2080, 558-2090 Also nearby, just a few buildings east of Brigade Rd on MG Rd. Not so much of interest to me in this one but worth checking if frustrated elsewhere.

Sapna Book House, Gandhinagar, Opposite Tribhuvan Theatre (movies), Bglr 560009. Ph. 226-6088, 226-2815, 226-9448, 226-1871, Fax (080) 226-9648 -- Big, similar to Gangaram's, they also carry Kannada books, don't know about other S. Indian Languages. Another branch in Sadashivnagar, near Bhashyam Circle, above Nilgiris, Bglr 560003, Ph 344-644, 344-6445, so says the carry bag. I'm sure there are others, and more all the time. These are the ones I know. best -- cj gillen

Deepa Reddy wrote, also in March 2000

Streelekha is still very much in business, though they had to move some years ago from the MGroad location. now they are ...well, as most people i go less by addresses in india than by landmarks (opposite hotbreads, near... you get the picture!). So -- streelekha is now located close to frank anthony's school, a few blocks down the road from there, a few houses down from Ulsoor road (i think that's the main road that goes by frank anthony's), really just across from hotbreads. the address (as that does help too) is: no.15/55 Jeevankendra layout, Cambridge road, bangalore-560008 (tel:5360311, if that has not changed already). do please get the word out! the bookstore is a great place, and would appreciate all the publicity it can get i'm sure.