A visit to Book Fair - 1/2 (07th Jan 2012)

Most of us feel happy to visit their relatives to have a change in the daily routine & that’s the reason most of us visit them during weekends. We feel happier when all relatives are together in the same place & that’s the reason we invite all our relatives inspite of small misunderstandings. Reason behind is simple – more the relatives more happy. – These were the thoughts flowed in my mind when I started visiting 35^th book exhibition in Chennai for the 2^nd time. Even though we used to visit renowned stalls to get books we want, book exhibition is a one stop shop to see all varieties in one place.

            35^th Chennai book fair started from 05^th – 17^th January 2012 in St. George Anglo Indian Hr. Secondary school situated exactly opposite to Pachayappan college was my 2^nd visit to the book fair. The place chosen is not congested to make the visitors sweat nor too spacious to feel more stalls can be installed. Apart from the grounds where stalls were located, enough space were there for two / four wheeler parking, food court to boost the visitors continue their book thirst & space for around 200 to sit & watch the speakers boast about reading habits.

Apart from convincing factor about the cost among the food courts is a pat to be given to the arrangements that were made to dispose the wastes like empty water bottle, paper plates, tissues, etc. Of course thanks to the common public as well who used only the bins to throw away the wastes which made the place look neat inspite of thousands of people visiting during the day.

Another feature to appreciate is an air conditioned van from LION blood bank with around 5-6 beds which helped people who wanted to donate blood just ahead of food court; this is what we say A GOOD START.

The first stall in the book fair was about NAVEENA VELANMAI (நவீன வேளான்மை) where only men were found busy collecting details about agriculture techniques & also books relating to it. Could be a reason behind the Valluvar’s kural stating – agriculture is the base for the world –

சுழன்றும்ஏர்ப் பின்னது உலகம் அதனால்

உழந்தும் உழவே தலை

Books were available in the stalls which were grouped in 10 rows where each row is named with famous Tamil writers. The only factor which was itching me was why the stalls were installed based on publications rather than author / topic wise which would have eased the public to select the books they wanted. Another doubt which rose in my mind was why the same book is printed by different publications. For e.g. a famous Tamil novel Ponnin Selvan (பொன்னியின் செல்வன்) was found in almost all the publications where there would be no difference in the content.

Daily papers like The Hindu, Times of India, Dhinamalar, Dhinamani & TV channels like Pudhiya Thalaimurai were also contributing each stall for their readers. Got to know that there was a 24 X 7 tamil news channel SATHYAM only after seeing its stall. Not sure the purpose of having HOLLYWOOD stall which was busy selling famous English movies in competing Tamil old movies which was sold in Raj TV stall.

Many branded publishers like Jaico, British council, Higginbotham, Poombugar, Landmark, Manimegalai were also contributing their stalls. Not sure the roles of UCMAS & Billroath hospital stall in the book exhibition. 

Among the stalls which were divided based on the publications there were also stalls sponsored by ISHA, ISKCON, CHINMAYANANDA, OSHO, KANJI PERIYAVAR, Kripananda Variyaar’s (GUGASRI PADHIPAGAM). Apart from the general announcement made, the only voice heard through large speakers was a male voice inviting to visit ISHA stall. Books written by Nithyananda were also available for purchase but none showed that much interest to even have a glimpse at it.