children listening to stories at Book Fair

The World Book Fair in Delhi is a highly anticipated event that sprawls across the huge Pragati Maidan fair grounds in central Delhi. There are publishers from all over the world, books in dozens of languages, reading events and books, thousands and thousands of books. It is a book lover’s paradise. My only problem was that it’s so huge, I could only do one section — the hall devoted to books in English (of course).

Nuzhat Hassan, director of Delhi Book Fair

While wandering around, I noticed the sign for the Media Centre, and went in to get information. The next thing I knew, I was interviewing the director, Nuzhat Hassan. And I’m so glad I did. She is a dynamic, articulate woman who, apparently, has re-invigorated the book fair, which is about 19 years old.

Nuzhat explained to me that the book fair has three main thrusts: One is based on the traditional idea of a fair, or mela, in India, which means that it is a business-to-customer model. In other words, people come to buy books. India is a huge country with people reading and speaking in a multitude of languages. The book fair gives people the opportunity to find books in many different languages, all in one place. Two, there is an international trade element to the book fair. Delegations from about 15 countries are represented, and Nuzhat says that interaction between Indian and foreign publishers is increasing.

Finally, she said that the Delhi book fair is established in the mind set of Indians, especially Delhi-ites. I already knew that because my boyfriend, Ajay, who grew up in Delhi, remembers it very fondly. Going to the Delhi Book Fair was his favourite annual event. Nuzhat said the book fair is “a celebration of the reading habit.”

Nuzhat said that there is  a mind-boggling number of books at the fair, and I remarked that India is mind-boggling in general.”Yes, there is variety and chaos, but you can still find your way,” she said. I totally agree.

As I walked around, I also met another impressive woman, Moyna, who is an editor with a children’s book publisher called Katha. The picture of the children listening to a story, above, was taken right outside the Katha stall. This publisher has an inspiring mission and philosophy to help give underprivileged an education by using a story-telling model; and also to teach the rich, ancient culture of India to the younger generations. When I get back to Delhi, I am going too meet with them and visit the school they founded.

For those who are interested … I bought about five books and picked up several travel magazines as well. The books included the new William Dalrymple book, Nine Lives; One Night at the Call Centre by Chetan Bhagat, and a beautifully illustrated children’s book set to a story by Rumi.

The pictures below were taken at the book fair, and include a picture of the Rajasthan pavilion on the Pragati Maidan grounds (once a year there is a state fair and each state has an elaborate pavilion). The final picture is of one of the main Commonwealth Games stadiums, which is in an alarming state of semi-construction, given that the games are only eight months away. I’m sure it will be done. (I took the pic from my taxi as we drove past the site on our way back to South Delhi.)

Rajasthan pavilion

Karanataka pavilion

stadium under construction