Bibliophiles of Tiruchi had a rare opportunity to browse through the works of award-winning authors and poets at the two-day book exhibition organised by Sahitya Akademi at St. Joseph’s College in the city.
The exhibition, which concluded on Tuesday, was organised in connection with the centenary celebrations of Tamil scholar Thaninayaga Adigal. Sahitya Akademi has been in the forefront in bringing out books of reputed authors and poets in different Indian languages.
It has published a record 4,000 titles and Tamil is one of the three languages, apart from English and Hindi, which received priority in Akademi’s initiatives. The book, Tamizh Ilakkiya Varalaru, written by renowned Tamil scholar Mu. Varadarajanar (Mu. Va) is a seminal work on the history of Tamil language and literature, and the Akademi has recently brought out the 29th edition of the book. The books, as usual, were in good demand from language lovers and civil services aspirants.
About 500 titles in Tamil, including the translated works from different languages, were available at the exhibition. A large number of books, written by some renowned authors, brought under the title India Ilakkiya Sirpigal, were also well received by book lovers.
Patthu Pattu Araichi , a book reprinted under the Rare Books Scheme of the Akademi, poems composed by Sidhars, Pallu Ilakkiya Thirattu , Ananatharangam Pillai Diary , Songs of Purandaradasar: Best of Indian Literature, Kamban: a new perspective, and novels and short stories of different regions of the country, showcased at the expo were a collector’s delight.
This is a golden opportunity for students to buy some great books at their doorsteps. “What has brought much joy to them is the cheap price and the good discount”, said A. Thennarasu, a final-year MA Tamil student of St. Joseph’s College.
A. Silambarasi, M. Phil student of the same college, said that such exhibitions should be conducted in all the colleges at regular intervals. According to A. S. Ilangovan, officer in charge, Sahitya Akademi, Chennai, the Akademi is at present involved in bringing out a comprehensive history of Tamil literature. Essays of 108 authors in three volumes would hit the stands by December.
