Book releases are normally about the handing over of a book by one celebrity to another and a few speeches about the work in question or the genre to which it belongs. But, the capital city was witness to a book release with a difference on Friday when the organisers used the occasion to celebration the ‘Reading Day’ by presenting book kits to 10 city school libraries.
And, present to greet them on the occasion was actor Madhu, who had come to release ‘Poonool Pottichidatte Njaan’, a collection of poems by his former classmate S.P. Namboodiri. Besides releasing the book, he also inaugurated the distribution of books to the school libraries and reminded the audience in a brief speech that only a book that touches the heart of readers at some level alone would stay relevant.
Impact of TV
“The readers should feel that they are also part of the story, a story that they can connect easily with, only then can the readers’ interest be sustained,” he said.
Readers, he said, must feel that they also live in the same world as the characters in the books they pick up. Then alone would they be able to connect with the world within the book. When such stories are told, people would reach out for more books. Sadly, however, reading has taken a backseat because of the influence of television and cinema, the thespian rued.
Short story writer and journalist B. Murali received the first copy of the book, which has been brought out by Naambu Publications, forming part of the Bookwala group. V.S. Bindu offered felicitations. The award for the school with the best library was presented to the Government High School, Kalady.
