https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=K._K._S._MurthyK. K. S. Murthy - Revision history2026-10-30T21:52:43ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.43.6https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=K._K._S._Murthy&diff=506898&oldid=prevQuyenStobie2 at 23:48, 9 December 20252025-12-09T23:48:41Z<p></p>
<p><b>New page</b></p><div>{{Short description|Indian aero engineer and book seller}}<br />
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'''K. K. S. Murthy''' (1929 – 17 February 2025) was an Indian aeronautics engineer and a book seller. He was the second-generation proprietor of the Select Book Shop in [[Bengaluru]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-02-19 |title=End of a chapter as Bengaluru’s beloved bookseller KKS Murthy dies at 95 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/end-of-a-chapter-as-bengalurus-beloved-bookseller-kks-murthy-dies-at-95/articleshow/118365986.cms |access-date=2025-02-19 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-12-12 |title=Select Bookshop: Bengaluru's Most Storied Bookseller |url=https://www.outlooktraveller.com/experiences/places-of-interest/bangalores-most-storied-bookseller |access-date=2025-02-19 |website=Outlook Traveller |language=en}}</ref><br />
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== Early life ==<br />
Murthy was brought up and lived in Bengaluru. He was the son of late K. B. K Rao, an advocate and a native of [[Kurnool]] in Andhra Pradesh who started a bookshop on the Museum Road in 1945.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Narrain |first=Aparna |date=2019-07-08 |title=Proprietor KKS Murthy on the legacy of the 74-year-old Select Bookshop |url=https://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/proprietor-kks-murthy-on-the-legacy-of-the-74-year-old-select-bookshop/article28318287.ece |access-date=2025-02-19 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> He worked as an engineer for 18 years at the [[Hindustan Aeronautics Limited]], before taking over the family book business. His wife died in 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Murthy KKS, Select Bookshop owner, dies at 94 |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/india/karnataka/bengaluru/murthy-kks-select-bookshop-owner-dies-at-94-3409914 |access-date=2025-02-19 |website=Deccan Herald |language=en}}</ref> He did his aeronautical engineering at [[Indian Institute of Science]], Bengaluru.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Thakur |first=Aksheev |date=2017-06-24 |title=Urban Legend: Murthy, Bengaluru's keeper of the tale {{!}} Urban Legend: Murthy, Bengaluru's keeper of the tale |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/lifestyle/books-and-art/240617/urban-legend-murthy-bengalurus-keeper-of-the-tale.html |access-date=2025-02-19 |website=www.deccanchronicle.com |language=en}}</ref><br />
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== Career ==<br />
He was an aeronautics engineer and after his stint at HAL, he took over the running of the family bookshop, the Select Book store in 1984 and gave it a face-lift after moving it to its present location, off [[Brigade Road]]. In 2021, a documentary was made on him, titled, ''Ayda Pustaka'' which means, 'the selected book'. His son, K. Sanjay, is running the shop after his death. The Book Shop has a rare collection of over 9,000 books, including some from the 15th century.<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 February 2025 |title=Bengaluru's beloved iconic 'Select Bookshop' owner, KKS Murthy, dies at 94 |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/bengaluru-news/bengalurus-beloved-iconic-select-bookshop-owner-kks-murthy-passes-away-at-94-101739848094512.html |access-date=19 February 2025 |website=Hindustan Times}}</ref> It is known for its rare second-hand books. Famous author and historian [[Ramachandra Guha]] is a regular visitor to the shop for over 40 years and playwright [[Girish Karnad]] was also among the many, who frequently visited the shop. Author [[Ruskin Bond]] mentioned the Book store in his book, Confessions of a book lover.<ref name=":0" /> “Mr Bond wrote a letter to tell me what he was doing,” Murthy was quoted saying by [[Deccan Chronicle]].<ref name=":0" /><br />
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=== Death ===<br />
Murthy died of age-related ailments on 17 February 2025 in Bengaluru.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-02-17 |title=K.K.S. Murthy of Select Book Shop dies at 95 in Bengaluru |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/kks-murthy-of-select-book-shop-dies-at-95-in-bengaluru/article69231432.ece |access-date=2025-02-19 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> He ran the Select Book Shop and used to greet the regulars daily till three months before his death.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-02-18 |title=KKS Murthy of Bengaluru’s iconic Select Book Shop passes away at 95 |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/bangalore/kks-murthy-bengaluru-iconic-select-book-shop-passes-away-95-9842435/ |access-date=2025-02-19 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> His last rites were performed on Tuesday, 18 February 2025.<br />
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== References ==<br />
{{Reflist}}<br />
{{DEFAULTSORT:Murthy, K. K. S.}}<br />
[[Category:1929 births]]<br />
[[Category:2025 deaths]]<br />
[[Category:People from Bengaluru]]<br />
[[Category:Indian Institute of Science alumni]]<br />
[[Category:Aeronautical engineers]]</div>QuyenStobie2