The 37 Chennai book fair has drawn more than 50,000 visitors ever since it was inaugurated at the Y.M.C.A Grounds in Nandanam on January 10.
Spread over an area of 2 lakh square feet, the fair features 777 stalls and will go on till January 22. Parents have been bringing their children to the fair to inculcate the reading habit in them. Organisers said that the number of visitors was more on Saturday and Sunday.
“This time, we have created mobile applications for the benefit of visitors. The publishers, who have submitted their catalogues to us, will be showcased on the application. Visitors can know about the books that will feature in the fair,” said Meenakshi Somasundaram, president of Booksellers and Publishers Association of South India, the organiser of the fair.
He said a free pick-up and drop from the Y.M.C.A entrance to the fair has been organised. “We have also tied up with ‘Namma Auto’ and call taxi operators,” he said.
On Sunday, an event to encourage new writers will be held at the book fair. “We will provide cash prizes for new writers and their stories will be published,” he said.
K. V. Mathew, who was the convener of the first six Chennai books fairs from 1977, said that there has been an increase in awareness about the fair. “When we started there were only 20 stalls, now it has increased to 777. We even held a procession with Mickey Mouse and Asterix to attract children,” he said.
