28 December,2010 09:01 AM IST | | Rocky Thongam
Here, you can pick a Hanuman Chalisa or the gospel according to Coco Chanel. Obama rubs shoulders with Jinnah and Batman takes a beating from Chacha Choudhary. The 16th Delhi Book Fair has something for every book lover. And Delhi despite the re-scheduling and winter chill is slowly warming up to it's magic
A booklover in Delhi seeks refuge in the musty scent of old paperbacks stacked in rows in Daryaganj. Take him to the on- going 16th Delhi Book Fair in Pragati Maidan and the cacophony and chatter assails his delicate sensibility.
But judge not a book fair by its cover. Be brave and step in. And you'll find a treasure trove of books at the fair which can be read, chewed and even digested.
Lukewarm response
This year some of the participants from countries like Iran, Germany, UAE and US and UK have given the fair a skip. "Blame it on the festival season but they couldn't make it this time," says Shakti Malik, director, Delhi Book Trust.
The lone participant from Pakistan has also failed to arrive due to visa problems though its books have already reached India. But one foreign stall which attracts attention is that of China; unfortunately the books are mostly in Chinese, a language very few understand in this country. "The CWG is largely responsible for this, we had to reschedule the fair to December from September and that has caused some problems," says Malik. However, he claims they have seen an increase in the number of stalls this year. He declares, "This time there are 270 publishers and 610 stalls in total; that is 10% more than last time."
Chacha Choudhary is here
Participants like Oxford University Press and others whose primary focus are text books complain that they are seeing less footfall this time than last year because of vacations in educational institutes. And text books' loss is comics' gain. The old favourites like Chacha Choudhary, Billoo, Nagraj and Super Commando Dhruv are the real stars here. Add to that, characters like Batman, Archie and Mandrake. "The comics are selling like hot cakes,;not only children but adults who lost touch with comics are buying when they see them here on the stalls," says Manoj Gupta of Raja Pocket books.
Paisa vasool
There is a wide array of subjects one can choose from here. For example, if you a cooking is what you are interested in hit Nita Mehta Publications in Hall no 11-13, stall 2. From recipe books on vegetarian Chinese to Italian, you'll find almost every cuisine under the sun; however what to choose from the vast list is all about smart shopping.
And if you are looking for those rare book on Harivansh Rai Bachchan or Saadat Hasan Manto drop in at the Sahitya Akademi stall (1) in hall 10-02. This place has every thing you ever wanted to read but couldn't find in glitzy book shops. The other stall we recommend is Durga Publications. They are happily selling-off old books for Rs 100. Interestingly, you'll find some rare gems if you have the patience to browse through the lot. So be brave and remember, like some one once said, 'No entertainment is so cheap as reading, nor any pleasure so lasting.'
At: hall no 8 to 12a, Pragati Maidan
Timings: 11am to 7 pm
On till: january 2
Entry fee: Rs 20 for adults, rs 10 for Students
