Riddhi Sen Explores Kolkata Book Fair with Father Koushik Sen
After a gap of two years, actor Riddhi Sen returned to the boimela with his father, Koushik Sen, who served as his guide for the day. The father-son duo, both passionate book lovers, immersed themselves in the vibrant atmosphere of the 49th International Kolkata Book Fair. Riddhi expressed his gratitude to the organizers, saying, "I am visiting boimela with baba after two years. This time he’s going to be my guide. Thanks to CT for organising this."
A City That Refuses to Let Go of Books
Riddhi Sen reflected on his upbringing, noting, "I’m grateful to my parents for nurturing my reading habit from childhood." Koushik Sen added his perspective, highlighting the fair's enduring appeal: "It’s reassuring to witness the charm of the boimela that’s reinventing itself through an exciting culmination of veteran and new authors." The fair kicked off for Riddhi with the inauguration of actor-director-singer-songwriter Anirban Bhattacharya’s debut book, followed by a seminar where he spoke about his work.
Father-Son Walk Side by Side
Walking through the stalls with two newly gifted books in hand, Riddhi felt a sense of familiarity and comfort. He shared, "Strolling from one stall to another, discussing books and memories, noticing the pure joy in my father’s eyes is truly special." Their exploration included inspecting Amitav Ghosh’s Ghost Eye & The Hungry Tide, which Koushik promptly purchased for his son. Riddhi remarked with a smile, "I feel like a child again."
Growing Up with Cinema, Books, and Choice
Riddhi credits his parents for shaping his cultural interests. His mother introduced him to the magic of cinema, while his father guided him into the world of books. Recalling a memorable period during quarantine when he had chicken pox, Riddhi said, "Ma introduced me to The Godfather and The Lion King to Ben-Hur." He emphasized the freedom his parents gave him: "Ma-Baba never forced their tastes on me. They allowed me to make my own choices – be it a book I wanted to read or a screenplay I wanted to reject."
Flipping Through Memories
Koushik Sen reminisced about his own experiences at the book fair, sharing, "Discovering books hand-in-hand with my wife Reshmi (Sen) was our perfect date. When we went through financial hardships, she’d always set aside a small sum so I could buy books at boimela." Riddhi observed the ongoing tradition, noting, "This year, watching baba sign books as multi-generational crowds queued — even on a working Tuesday — felt heartening." He added, "Only in Kolkata do you see people queuing up for books on a Tuesday."
The Irreplaceable Joy of Physical Books
Koushik Sen highlighted the unique value of physical books, stating, "Growing up in theatre took literature beyond textbooks. Even today, the feel, smell and joy of physical books remain irreplaceable." He also addressed a common misconception, saying, "It’s a misconception that Gen Z doesn’t read." The day at the book fair served as a testament to the enduring love for literature across generations in Kolkata.
