This Bhagavad Gita not for sale

Bookshop owner procures signature edition

May 05, 2015 12:00 am | Updated 07:41 am IST - KAKINADA:

Proud possession:Kiran Karumuri with the signature edition of The Bhagavad Gita.—Photo: K.N. Murali Sankar

Proud possession:Kiran Karumuri with the signature edition of The Bhagavad Gita.—Photo: K.N. Murali Sankar

Those who buy books at Sudhita Book Centre on the Main Road got awestruck at the sight of a huge and attractive book that stands amid the literature and stationery. “That is not for sale,” says Kiran Karumuri, proprietor of the bookshop, who owns two copies of the precious book – the signature edition of ‘The Bhagavad Gita,’ published by Sivakasi-based Nightingale Products.

“This is the world’s costliest edition of Srimad Bhagavad Gita, as its cover price is Rs. 39,500. It is a limited edition work and the publishers released only 360 copies into the international market,” explains Mr. Kiran, who booked his copies online six months ago. As the two copies were delivered at his doorstep, he presented one of those copies to his guru and kept the second one for himself.

A second generation bookseller from Kakinada, Mr. Kiran was in touch with Srinivasa Fine Arts in Sivakasi, that firm that is known for bringing out qualitative diaries under the brand name ‘Nightingale’ every year. “When I got to know about the signature edition, I have placed my order without second thought,” he says while explaining the salient features of the edition to his customers.

“This Bhagavad Gita is crafted with world’s most precious eco-friendly materials, which are collected from as many as 25 nations. Acid-free paper and eco-friendly inks are being used and a guarantee of 250 years has been given by the publishers,” he says. English and Hindi translations of all the Slokas were given and the paintings were done by renowned artist G.L.N. Simha basing on ‘Chitra Sutra’ of ‘Vishnu Dharmottara Purana’ that dwells on guidelines for divine paintings.

“All the pages are gold plated and embossing work on the cover page with Swarovski crystals needs a special mention. Gold-plated replica of peacock feather has been given as bookmark,” explains Mr. Kiran.

For the convenience of the booklovers who evince interest in having a glimpse of the rare work, the proud owner is moving the book on the foldable and rotatable bookstand that was given along with the book. “Reading this edition of Bhagavad Gita is certainly a unique experience,” Mr. Kiran says while browsing the golden gilded edges of the pages.

Sudhita Book Centre proprietor Kiran says this is the world’s costliest edition of Srimad Bhagavad Gita, as its cover price is Rs. 39,500. It is a limited edition work and the publishers released only 360 copies in the international market.

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