Kerala - Kochi

Going the digital way

Kochi: A new crop of writers on the block believes in catching up with the times. Hence the presence of Malayalam writers like Anvar Ali and P.P. Ramachandran on blogspace.

The nouveau medium attracts a sizeable readership and following. “The advantage is you get to read works of writers you like, besides getting a chance to interact with them, in a highly personal space,” says Sanal Sasidharan, himself a blogger.

“Digital bookstores supported by 3G technology is the new fad elsewhere and it is only a matter of time before it reaches here as well. Also on the up is shopping for books online. Plus, digital online libraries and discussion forums give more colour and vivacity to the virtual world of knowledge,” says an avid reader who closely monitors such trends.

“If there is no interest in reading how come you have all those pirated editions of popular books available with the wayside vendor?” asks Ravi Dee Cee, pointing at a potential market for second-hand books.

Among vernacular volumes, memoirs and books with biographical sketches are hot favourites. All kinds of experiments are also taking place here, justifying the growth of small-scale publishing houses.

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