Founded in 2012 by LeftWork Books, May Day Bookstore doesn't even try to pretend it's a regular bookstore – and thank goodness. It's immediately obvious upon walking in and finding only wall-to-wall Marxist theory, political critique, and independent presses –basically more leftist writing than you’ll see anywhere else in India. You'll find that Hindi and English titles are interspersed throughout the store, and they've also got a well-regarded section for used books, where many readers have found first-edition gems tucked away without any fanfare. The address – Shadipur, a working-class neighbourhood in West Delhi – is a very deliberate choice too, because May Day's not the type to associate itself with glossy malls or upscale Lutyens pin codes at all.
The store – again, intentionally – shares a wall with Studio Safdar – a theatre space run by the legendary Jana Natya Manch, the city's most prominent leftist theatre group. The two spaces integrate seamlessly, and together, have created a wonderful little cultural community through books, performances and activism bleeding into one another. All sorts of events happen here, in all forms – poetry readings, film screenings, political discussions, neighbourhood street plays and children's programmes – and on most occasions, you'll find a melée of activists and theatre artists popping in for a quick chat as often as they do for books. May Day is unapologetic in its leftward leanings – they say so proudly on their Instagram page, too – and this bookstore, all in all, is more a shelter for readers who see books not just as an escape, but as tools of thought and change.
Opening times:
Monday-Sunday 11am-7pm.
Time Out Tip:
They also serve great coffee.