Bahuroopi book, handicrafts expo receives mixed response

The handicrafts and books expo, being held as part of the week-long national, multilingual, theatre festival Bahuroopi, is receiving a mixed response from the people. However, the stallkeepers are hoping for good business in the days to come. The festival that commenced on Sunday will conclude on January 21.

As many as 60 stalls have been set up in the expo and the vendors, from various parts of the state and also from neighboring states, are participating in the event. Though a large number of people have been visiting the premises, only a few have purchased the books in the expo.

Publishers and booksellers such as Chethana Book House, Sapna Book House, handicrafts vendors from Kolkata and other parts have occupied the stalls. Popular books penned by well-known authors such as Kuvempu and S L Bhyrappa are available.

Books such as 'The Sword of Tipu Sultan' by Bhagwan S Gidwani, 'Pathways to Greatness', 'Ignited Minds', 'You are born to blossom' by A P J Abdul Kalam, 'The Mother I Never Knew', 'House of Cards', 'Three Thousand Stitches', 'Wise and Otherwise' penned by Sudha Murthy and 'Deve Gowdara Sadhaneya Shikhararohana', a book on former prime minister H D Deve Gowda, by professors Pradhan Gurudutt and C Naganna, are on display.

Besides, sarees, fabrics, hand block printed fabric, clay pots and models, artifacts, oxidised silver jewellery and organic food products are available.

'Poor response'

A vendor from Kolkata, who has been participating in Bahuroopi for the past several years, said that compared to the previous years, this year, the response is poor. However, she hoped that business would pick up in coming days. "We have brought a variety of handmade fabrics. Visitors enter the stall, but, only a few purchase them," he said.

The stall has a variety of sarees, veils, and hand block printed fabric. S Shyamala, a homemaker said that even though the price is a little high, the quality of goods and the variety are worth purchasing.

Another shopkeeper, who sells oxidised silver jewellery, said that the sales are not as expected. A book vendor said, "A majority of elderly people are asking for rare books authored by Kuvempu, Bhyrappa, and other Kannada writers. Even youths have been visiting the stalls, but, not many purchased books."