JOIN USLargest Kannada book fair begins in Mangalore
The fair that has been held for the first time in the history of Coastal Karnataka is expected to quench the thirst of book lovers in undivided Dakshina Kannada district. Eighty seven publishing houses from various parts of Karnataka have installed 120 stalls in the exhibition area.
With varieties of books displayed under one roof by different publishing houses including Sapna Book House, Kannada Pusthaka Pradhikara, Karnataka Sahitya Academy, Mysore University Prasaranga, and Karnataka Rajya Vijnana Parishat, the fair is all set to provide intellectual treat to the book lovers.
Speaking to Deccan Herald, Shyam Sundar, proprietor of Shri Saraswathi Book Centre from Shimoga, said that the previous year’s book fair which was organised at Mysore in itself was a huge success. However, he expects yet better response from Mangaloreans as the district has majority of educated public and voracious readers.
Books are sold for considerable discount rates ranging from 10 per cent to 30 per cent. In fact, one of the publication from Melkote, Samskrthi Samshodhana Samsath is selling Sanskrit related books for 50 per cent discount rate. “For the first time, our publication has opened a stall at KBA’s annual book fair. So we have decided to sell Sanskrit books and Kannada and English translation versions of Sanskrit works at a discount rate. We do have a CD by name ‘Samskrutha Vinoda’ in store for the children who wish to learn Sanskrit at ease,” said the publication house proprietor Cheluvanarayana.
While Karnataka Rajya Vijnana Parishat has displayed 70 and odd varieties of science books for the science savvy readers. More over, the science books are available at a very reasonable price not exceeding Rs 50. The fair displays wide array of books on literature, science, philosophy, spirituality, health, yoga, cookery among others.
Earlier, presiding over the inaugural programme, Kannada Book Authority President litterateur Dr Siddahlingiah said that the book fair has provided an excellent opportunity for the public from coastal district to get an exposure to diverse books and purchase as per their preference. He extended words of gratitude to the State government for its support in organising the fair.
District-in-charge Minister Krishna J Palemar inaugurated the fair. ZP CEO Santhosh Kumar Bhadari, MLA Yogish Bhat, U T Kahder, Additional DC Prabhakar Sharma and others were present.
The fair will be open from 10 am to 9 pm everyday till October 31. Cultural programmes will be staged in the evenings.