 29th Chennai book fair
Books galore at the grounds of the Quaid-e-Millat College at this year’s Chennai Book Fair. It is the 29th of this kind and is being conducted by the Booksellers and Publishers Association of South India
(BAPASI).
Each stall is packaged with loads of surprises and wonderful bargains.
Books of every thinkable genre are stacked together summing up the theme for the year, ‘Books for All’. Though soap operas and computer games have enticed the masses, the crowds at the fair are proof enough that books are yet to lose their charm.
According to BAPASI secretary R S Shanmugam, there are 375 stalls displaying collections of various publishers, Tamil weeklies and computer institutes. They also have multimedia stalls with computer software and compact discs on exhibit.
The fair was inaugurated on January 6 by the Speaker of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, K Kalimuthu. Other delegates at the inauguration included the Vice-Chancellor of Anna University, D Viswanathan, who urged parents to inculcate the reading habit in their children.
The chief guest presented awards to Sudha Murty (for Best English Author), K Vikraman (for Best Tamil Author), Chella Ganapathi (for Best Children’s Author), Bharathi Pathippagam (for Best Tamil Book Publishers) and Higginbothams (for Best Booksellers).
The book fair will be open till January 16 from 2 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. on weekdays and 11 a.m. to 8.30 p.m. on weekends.
A diabetes awareness and detection camp will be conducted on the fair grounds on January 15 by Dr Mohan Diabetes Specialty Centre. An awareness programme and blood donation camp will also be conducted on the premises.
Other attractions include events like Pattimanram, Kavithaiarangam, a quiz programme and a drawing competition (for kids between 5-12 years of age). The events will take place at 6 p.m. each day.
The entry charge of Rs 5 seems a mere formality, compared to the diasporic delights awaiting you inside. Entry for children is free.
The platforms outside are not to be missed either as you can pick up many a book at extraordinarily cheap rates, provided you huddle there.
Fathima Imamuddin G M
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