Come December and one thing ranks high on the wish list of book lovers in Hyderabad — a visit to the book fair. A huge stadium filled with different genres of books is a haven for any bibliophile and Hyderabad’s book fair, that first started in 1985, boasts of a loyal following. From rare books, regional novels, spiritual guides and second hand paperbacks, there is a lot to choose from ensuring that with each passing year, the book fair adds more followers amongst its folds. This year, more than 300 stalls from all across India, including those of central and state governments like the National Book Trust, Publication Division, Telangana State Language and Culture department among others, have put up their stalls.
Nostalgia is a big draw
Sridhar Sattiraju, a wealth management specialist and an avid book lover, has been visiting the book fair every year since its inception and says the fair always throws up a surprise. “From its first edition at City Central Library at Ashok Nagar to the current one at NTR Stadium, I keep coming back to see if something new comes up. While earlier there were a lot of global sellers, they have stopped coming to the city in the last 10 years. I always look to add to my collection by adding classics, fiction and non-fiction.” He adds that a lot of single imprint books, especially in the spiritual genre that are not easily available, are found here.
Ask about his best buys this year and Sridhar smiles, “I got a couple of Wodehouse titles including Big Money which I wanted to buy for a while. Apart from these, the National Book Trust always has something interesting. I stumbled upon a book on bullet trains in their stalls. The trains have not yet started but the book explains the whole concept behind them. Such purchases are only possible at fairs such as these.”
HYDERABAD. 25/12/2015: Visitors having a look at the huge collection of books at the Hyderabad Book Fair 2015 at NTR Grounds in Hyderabad on Friday... Photo KVS Giri
For a ‘hatke’ collection
Praneet Nagarur, a chartered accountant, says that the book fair has always had an eclectic collection. He reminiscences, “You never know what you can find tucked away in its nooks and corners. Being a huge Agatha Christie fan, I found many original Fontana and Bantam editions which would cost a fortune elsewhere, but I got them for less than ₹20. Even first editions! The illustrations, book jackets and paper quality are hard to come by these days.”
Indeed many would agree that the best part of visiting a book fair is to unearth those old first editions which would turn an ordinary evening into a memorable experience. The ample number of stores that sell second hand books ensure that if one has the patience to comb through their collections, they might end up with a rare edition.
Regional literature
Worldwide, there is a notion that book reading has come down but a walk around the NTR Stadium will prove the naysayers wrong. Even in the cold weather Hyderabad is experiencing, the place is choc a bloc with people and the book fair has something for everyone.
Pavithra Yama, who works with an MNC, loves going to the book fair to check out the latest in Telugu literature: “I think the book fair is a great platform for those who like reading regional literature. Plus, the last day always brings with it great discounts. With publishers from Tenali and Vijayawada setting up stalls here, there is a wide range. There are also a lot of children’s books, which are ideal for bed time reading.” There is a substantial increase in the number of stalls selling Telugu books and one can find autobiographies, fiction and mythological books this year.
While the majority of stalls are dedicated to books, some sell eco-friendly products and educational aids (boards, charts and the works) for kids. There are a lot of ancillary literary events like book discussions, launches and talks scheduled which ensure that the whole atmosphere is reminiscent of a buzzing carnival.
Finally, is any event in Hyderabad complete without food? From bamboo chicken to chaat and cotton candy, there are a lot of food stalls around the entrance to ensure that those hunger pangs are taken care of. For a quintessential book fair experience, this city version checks all the boxes. Just ensure that you drop in with a cloth bag for your purchase (they still give out plastic covers!) and indulge in the joy of reading.
