On a sweltering day, we drop by the new book nook at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (CSMVS). Tucked on the mezzanine level of the museum&rsquo;s gift shop, a wooden stairway with Prussian blue, night-like walls says c&rsquo;mon in.
<img title="It overlooks the lawns and museum " src="http://origin.mid-day.com/images/2022/mar/Attic-finds-b_e.jpg" alt="It overlooks the lawns and museum " width="1280" height="720" />It overlooks the lawns and museum&nbsp;
There are no specific categories, and books seamlessly find their sweet spot. As we browse through titles on art and culture and Indian textiles, a handwritten note inside a book catches the eye. It is Neil MacGregor&rsquo;s A History of the World in 100 Objects. The note has been mindfully left by curators Ahalya Naidu and Meethil Momaya &mdash; the couple who runs Bandra&rsquo;s Trilogy bookshop and library. They share how they want serendipity to guide reading, &ldquo;We started this tradition [notes] in Trilogy in 2014, and carried it forward in pop-ups, literary events and festivals. Although we interact with nearly every reader we meet, there&rsquo;s always more to say. We felt, through the notes, serendipity could play a huge role in nudging readers to unusual titles.&rdquo; When they got the opportunity to curate books here, the duo wanted to find books that fit into the museum. Naidu explains, &ldquo;Our intention is to present a tightly assembled bookshop worthy of its presence within the hallowed environs of this 100-year-old museum. &nbsp;There is so much beauty here; each object is a portal through history to long-forgotten traditions and peoples.&rdquo;
<img title="The striking walls" src="http://origin.mid-day.com/images/2022/mar/Attic-finds-c_e.jpg" alt="The striking walls" width="1280" height="720" />The striking walls
Books like Between Memory and Museum by Arun and Gita Wolf, Rembrandt and the Inspiration of India, Musings in the Museum by Harsha V Dehejia and Manu S Pillai&rsquo;s The Ivory Throne grabbed our attention. There&rsquo;s a well-stocked section for children that includes titles such as The Girl Who Loved To Sing: Teejan Bai, and BRER Rabbit Retold. With an expansive reading list on history, heritage and multi-ethnicity, Naidu reveals factors they are very conscious of, &ldquo;We are aware of the store&rsquo;s limited space, the astonishing breadth of the objects in the museum, year-round ideas focused on the centenary celebrations, and the needs of the visitors.&rdquo; They intend to add genres like poetry and graphic art, but the focus will remain on enhancing the museum&rsquo;s collection.
We would&rsquo;ve liked for more seating to enrich our experience. But a framed Areca palm on one of the night-coloured walls transported us to an oasis of calm. Had it not been for the wind, we wouldn&rsquo;t know it was a window bringing the outside in.
Time 10.15 am to 6 pm, all days&nbsp; At CSMVS, MG Road, Fort.
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A new space for bibliophiles at CSMVS houses a collection that promises a serendipitous time

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