Date:09/01/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/01/09/stories/2009010957390200.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

600 stalls present a sea of books to pick and cherish

Staff Reporter

Chennai Book Fair opens, providing a gateway to a wide range of subjects

— Photo: R.Ravindran

Readers all: Visitors browse the racks at the 32nd Chennai Book Fair inaugurated on Thursday.

CHENNAI: The inauguration of the 32nd Chennai Book Fair at St. George’s Anglo Indian Higher Secondary School on Thursday was a place where several old friends met. When historian and writer S. Muthiah ran into K.M.Mathew, one of the founders of the book fair, he hugged him and chatted about old times.

The fair, organised by The Booksellers’ and Publishers’ Association of South India (BAPASI), will be on till January 18. It will be open from 2 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. on weekdays and 11 a.m. to 8.30 p.m. on weekends and government holidays.

Mr. Mathew said that the first book fair had started with just 20 stalls. “I am amazed to see how it has grown to 600 stalls. Way back in 1977, we held it at the Madarsa on Mount Road. I conducted the fairs on behalf of the book publishers for six years… Now, exhibitions have been started at Tiruchi, Madurai, Coimbatore, Neyveli and Puducherry,” he said.

For Tamil writer Tirupur Krishnan, the book fair gave an opportunity to have a look at new books. “It also offers the chance to catch up with old friends among writers and publishers.”

Kannada writer and actor Girish Karnad, who was one of the recipients of the Kalaignar M.Karunanidhi Porkizhi award for Kannada writing, said “As a publisher, when I see these beautiful books I remember how difficult it was to make the wrappers in those days. We would use some drawings of our own. Now technology has improved… but I only hope that what is inside the books are as beautiful as the covers.”

R. Krishnamachari, a 76-year-old book lover from Adyar, had come to the fair with his grandson. He said that he made it a point to purchase books worth at least Rs.3,000 every year at the fair.

Books on a wide range of subjects including self-improvement, biographies, yoga, fiction, history, philosophy, children’s literature, cookery and science are available at the exhibition.

Young author K. Abirami of Tamil Puthakalayam – Dhagam said that many Tamil readers liked to pick up books on a wide range of topics.

At the inaugural ceremony, awards were presented to Mr. Muthiah for Indian writing in English, playwright Na. Muthusami of Koothupattarai for his contribution to theatre, K. Nedunchezhian for essays, Mani for poetry and R. Choodamani for novels and short stories.

The awards carry a memento and cash prize of Rs.1 lakh each.

BAPASI president Gandhi Kannadasan said that the exhibition had nearly 600 stalls of publishers and sellers. Industrialist Nalli Kuppuswami Chetty, who presented the awards, urged that book fairs be held at all district headquarters.

Higginbothams whole-time director C. Chandrasekhar and founder of New Century Book House R. Radhakrishnamurthy were among those present.