Despite the crisp winter air and foggy mornings, a wave of bibliophiles has been steadily flowing into the Khanapara Veterinary Field in Guwahati. The ongoing book fair, a premier cultural event organised by the Assam Publication Board, has become a bustling hub of literary enthusiasm, recording remarkable sales figures that underscore a renewed passion for reading in the state.
Record-Breaking Sales and Youthful Energy
The 14-day fair, which commenced on December 24, has already achieved a staggering sales milestone. Secretary of the Assam Publication Board, Pramod Kalita, confirmed that sales have soared past Rs 2 crore as of Sunday. This impressive number is largely fueled by a significant uptick in purchases of children's literature, available in both Assamese and English languages.
Kalita credited this surge to a growing culture of reading among the younger generation. He highlighted the emphasis placed on promoting books by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma last year as a key catalyst. The fair itself actively encourages this trend by offering free entry to all school and college students. "They arrive with their parents and enthusiastically buy more books. This is a great way to inculcate reading habits," Kalita noted.
Further boosting engagement are the various competitions held at the fair, where winners are rewarded with cartons of books, directly fueling their personal libraries. Attractive discounts, with prices starting as low as Rs 15, have also made books accessible to a wider audience.
Zubeen Garg Titles Emerge as Major Attractions
Among the diverse offerings, a special category of books has captured the public's imagination this year. Publications centred on the life and legacy of the late legendary singer Zubeen Garg have emerged as top crowd-pullers and bestsellers. Kalita mentioned that there are more than 60 books dedicated to the artist, providing readers with deep insights into his journey.
Popular titles include Mayabini Rati'r Bukut by Debojit Bhuyan, Biswa Shilpi Zubeen Garg by Dulal Mishra, and Zubeen Garg: Geet Guwa Darshonikjon by Dhrubajyoti Das and Ujjwal Bora. However, the spotlight has been firmly on Pitrir Dristit Zubeen, authored by Garg's father, Kapil Thakur. Kalita pointed out that this particular book has drawn the most attention for its intimate and authentic portrayal of the beloved artist.
A Platform for Assamese and Global Literature
The fair serves as a grand exhibition of literary talent, hosting over 130 stalls with participation from publishers across India. This includes representation from 11 publishers in Delhi and Noida, 17 from Kolkata, two from Mumbai, and one from Hyderabad.
Visitors can explore works by renowned Assamese literary figures such as:
- Prafulla Dutta Goswami
- Munindra Baishya
- Lila Gogoi
- Nabin Buragohain
Alongside these are stalls featuring internationally acclaimed authors like Laszlo Krasznahorkai, Lafcadio Hearn, and Gabriel García Marquez, offering a truly global reading experience.
Looking ahead, Pramod Kalita expressed optimism about the growing interest in Assamese literature. He stated that efforts will be intensified in the coming years to translate these regional works, enabling readers outside Assam to access and appreciate the state's rich and diverse storytelling traditions. The fair's overwhelming success stands as a testament to the enduring power of the written word in the digital age.
