From mythology-based books to award-winning collections of essays, from Malayalam translations of acclaimed classics to collections on archival material… the Trivandrum International Book Fair put together by the Bala Sahitya Institute (State Institute of Children's Literature) and which was inaugurated here on Thursday on the Sanskrit College grounds promises to be irresistible to book-lovers.
According to information made available by the institute, more than 100 publishers had showcased their titles in 77 stalls at the festival which was declared open by Jnanpith winner O.N.V. Kurup.
Books based on Indian mythology dominated the Amar Chithra Katha stall. Many of the titles on display here were those that had remained popular down generations of readers. These included tales of Tenali Raman, books on the heroic kings and queens of India, books on the ‘Dasavathara' and Buddhist folk tales.
ADVERTISEMENT
The Sahitya Akademi was offering a discount of 20 percent on its publications which included works of historian K.N. Panikkar and writings of the late politician N.E. Balram. Numerous other popular titles of the Akademi including the collected works of noted writers were also on offer. Hundreds of titles of books for children lined the big stall of the Bala Sahitya Institute.
A special attraction was ‘Gurumulkazhcha,' a special collection of books on Sree Narayana Guru. This special exhibition within an exhibition featured special publications brought out on the Sivagiri pilgrimage, books in English and Malayalam on the Guru, and even samples of the Guru's handwriting.
This year too a ‘Copyright Table' would be organised as part of the festival. Dance performances, screening of films, and cultural programmes too would be held as part of the festival which would conclude on December 31.
ADVERTISEMENT