The Indian Book Carnival

Have you ever attended any Indian Book Carnival? I feel your puzzled expression-Book Carnival, not fair? It is a carnival because of sheer magnitude of passion and anticipation involved that the book lovers in this part of the World wait with all through the year. Have I been able to tingle your interest a bit? Why not join me in the most anticipated Book Carnival and experience it yourself?

The queue leading to the North gate of the fair has taken a huge uncoiled serpentine look that is adding to its tail every minute. The air is crackling with joy and merriment. For once, the parents are not minding their young toddlers running in gay abandon holding colorful balloons. The parents themselves are busy discussing ardently about the books that they are going to buy.

From where we are standing, there are more than 400 people ahead of us and an almost equal number behind us! The fair gate is going to open precisely at 2PM. Today is the fourth day of the fair and also a weekday- but that does not seem to deter these undaunting book lovers from leaving their places of work and participate in this event!

At last we are in the huge barricaded open arena. The first stall is to the left of the entrance gate and from there all other stalls are aligned circularly. This leaves a vast open space in the middle for visitors to stroll by, for food stall owners to display their snacks, and also where the main podium is erected.

Stall of my favorite publisher is choke-a-block full with people. A renowned author is launching his newly written novel. He is busy giving autographs while having an informal face-to-face chit-chat with his readers. One important feature of this event is that books are displayed openly for the visitors to touch, feel, and even smell, even if not being bought by them! Isn’t this great?

While browsing, we heard an announcement in the PA system. In the main podium an acclaimed French author will be felicitated. Every year this event is organized based on a particular theme, and this year is on Contemporary French literature. French delegates have already arrived in the podium, and we also joined the waiting crowds.

To give some rest to our tiring legs, we decided to have some snacks. On our way from there, we saw a young impoverished gentleman. He is showing his poetry book, written and published from his own pocket. All new writers are not fortunate enough to be backed by a publishing house, so this way he can show his work to the public. Who knows-he may be the next Shelly or Tagore!

Oh God! It is already late! Still craving for more, yet taking pity on our exhausted self, we decided to leave for now, still have 14 more days to go. Till then, it is time for us to bid goodbye to all of you. Hope you enjoyed it too, see you again the next year!