The hallowed interiors of Delhi’s Timeless Art Book Studio; (inset) its owner Raavi Sabharwal
When I started this venture, I had no inkling that, one day, I will be organising the closing-down sale of Timeless Art Book Studio and, in that sense, I am somewhat upset — perhaps even a bit sad,” writes Raavi Sabharwal, 69, in an email to regulars as he announces the closure of the 20-year-old Timeless Art Book Studio in South Extension-I.
Timeless is — was — the only bookstore to have a king-sized bed and a rocking chair as well as a Harley Davidson parked inside, surrounded by wall-to-wall bookshelves packed with thick, large, gleaming titles on aesthetics, ranging from art and architecture, costumes and textiles, rugs and carpets to automobiles, graphics, jewellery and fashion, garden and landscape design, photography, travel and leisure. The feisty and flamboyant Sabharwal, who is set to announce a closing-down sale, with 50 to 90 per cent discount, has called out to booklovers for a final “celebration over a cup of coffee and brownie, juice, nimboo paani, beer and snacks”.
You’ve Read Your Free Stories For Now
Sign up and keep reading more stories that matter to you.
I deal in expensive coffee-table books. Since there are no footfalls, nobody comes to look at the stunningly beautiful pictures in those books. We tried selling online but didn’t get orders. These books need to be touched and seen. Things have been going down for the past five years and we realised there was no way out.
Books at Timeless were famously expensive.
I distribute all international publishers as well as publish myself under Timeless Books. These are high-quality books which are collectors’ items. There was a standing joke in the industry that if Raavi does something, it has to be expensive. If the maximum price in the market was Rs 3,600, I would be selling books worth Rs 25,000 but these would be one thousand times better in quality. I don’t believe in cutting corners in books. So many books have become rare books now.
What are the titles you are particularly proud of?
The first book I published was called Curry and Rice on 40 Plates, about British social life in 19th century India. We have done 12-15 Raghu Rai books. Panorama of India had works of a Czech photographer and was priced at Rs 30,000.
Timeless was never only a bookstore, thanks to its décor. How did you design the shop?
From my childhood, I liked beautiful things even if it was a flower or a bird or a butterfly. I have a designer’s mind. I watched the film Falling in Love, in which Robert De Niro and Meryl Streep meet and fall in love in a bookstore called Rizzoli Bookstore. I went all the way to New York and to Rizzoli with my camera to see the bookstore. When I came back, I realised that my space was only a tenth of Rizzoli’s so I took a few months to fit the concept in the small area and created the décor. A few years later, a couple came in and said, ‘This place reminds us of a shop we have in New York called Rizzoli Bookstore but your workmanship is better’.
Story continues below this ad
Why do you have a motorbike and a bed in a bookshop?
They became very popular with young people, I don’t know why. When people came into the store, within 10 minutes, they would be disconnected from the outside world.
Timeless Art Book Studio is at 1882 Jagram Mandir Lane, (Next to H 58-59 South Extension 1). Phone: 46056198
Dipanita Nath is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, based in Pune. She is a versatile journalist with a deep interest in the intersection of culture, sustainability, and urban life.
Professional Background
Experience: Before joining The Indian Express, she worked with other major news organizations including Hindustan Times, The Times of India, and Mint.
Core Specializations: She is widely recognized for her coverage of the climate crisis, theatre and performing arts, heritage conservation, and the startup ecosystem (often through her "Pune Inc" series).
Storytelling Focus: Her work often unearths "hidden stories" of Pune—focusing on historical institutes, local traditions, and the personal journeys of social innovators.
Recent Notable Articles (December 2025)
Her recent reporting highlights Pune’s cultural pulse and the environmental challenges facing the city during the winter season:
1. Climate & Environment
"Pune shivers on coldest morning of the season; minimum temperature plunges to 6.9°C" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the record-breaking cold wave in Pune and the IMD's forecast for the week.
"How a heritage tree-mapping event at Ganeshkhind Garden highlights rising interest in Pune’s green legacy" (Dec 20, 2025): Covering a citizen-led initiative where Gen Z and millennials gathered to document and protect ancient trees at a Biodiversity Heritage Site.
"Right to breathe: Landmark NGT order directs PMC to frame norms for pollution from construction sites" (Dec 8, 2025): Reporting on a significant legal victory for residents fighting dust and air pollution in urban neighborhoods like Baner.
2. "Hidden Stories" & Heritage
"Inside Pune library that’s nourished minds of entrepreneurs for 17 years" (Dec 21, 2025): A feature on the Venture Center Library, detailing how a collection of 3,500 specialized books helps tech startups navigate the product life cycle.
"Before he died, Ram Sutar gave Pune a lasting gift" (Dec 18, 2025): A tribute to the legendary sculptor Ram Sutar (creator of the Statue of Unity), focusing on his local works like the Chhatrapati Shivaji statue at Pune airport.
"The Pune institute where MA Jinnah was once chief guest" (Dec 6, 2025): An archival exploration of the College of Agriculture, established in 1907, and its historical role in India's freedom struggle.
3. Arts, Theatre & "Pune Inc"
"Satyajit Ray, Ritwik Ghatak were not rivals but close friends, says veteran filmmaker" (Dec 17, 2025): A deep-dive interview ahead of the Pune International Film Festival (PIFF) exploring the camaraderie between legends of Indian cinema.
"Meet the Pune entrepreneur helping women build and scale businesses" (Dec 16, 2025): Part of her "Pune Inc" series, profiling Nikita Vora’s efforts to empower female-led startups.
"How women drone pilots in rural Maharashtra are cultivating a green habit" (Dec 12, 2025): Exploring how technology is being used by women in agriculture to reduce chemical use and labor.
Signature Style
Dipanita Nath is known for intellectual curiosity and a narrative-driven approach. Whether she is writing about a 110-year-old eatery or the intricacies of the climate crisis, she focuses on the human element and the historical context. Her columns are often a blend of reportage and cultural commentary, making them a staple for readers interested in the "soul" of Pune.
X (Twitter): @dipanitanath ... Read More
