In the southern Indian city of Bangalore (or Bengaluru, if you prefer the official, syrupy version), names point to the melange of eras, empires and confluences that have danced in and out of these geographical coordinates over centuries.

If, for instance, you were to find yourself in a specific part of town, you would disembark from a rickshaw or Uber ride saturated with the loud, pulsating sounds of the region’s Kannada film industry (ingeniously labelled Sandalwood). Skipping past unceasing traffic on the central Queens Road, you would enter a tiny haven of a side street—Edward Road—named in accordance with familial affiliation and surrounded by the tangential roads Cunningham, Jasma Bhavan, Ali Asker and Infantry.

Within the quietude of Edward Road, you might savour the abundance of centuries-old trees, not failing to notice the plushness of the buildings packed around you. Reaching the end of the lane, you might just consider turning back and exploring in other directions. But if you were to persist you would be rewarded with the aroma of darkly brewed coffee, a sanctuary for the soul and words gathered with care. For here—appended to a mixed-use bungalow plot containing a school, a spa and an Airbnb rental—lies Champaca Bookstore, Library and Cafe, nearly engulfed by foliage.

• Tags: Champaca Bookstore, India, Issue 22, Radhika Timbadia, Siddharth Dasgupta