'A bibliophiles’ paradise: Hyderabad on high as National Book Fair takes off

Hyderabad: NTR Stadium in Hyderabad is currently abuzz with literary excitement as it hosts the 36th edition of the National Book Fair.

Organized by the Hyderabad Book Fair Society, the annual event commenced on February 9, attracting bibliophiles from all corners of the city.

This year's book fair features an extensive collection of literature across 365 stalls, with 115 dedicated exclusively to Telugu works. Attendees can explore publications from renowned publishers across various states, encompassing multiple languages. The diverse array of books includes comics, drawing books, biographies, fiction spanning all genres, classical literature, and novels.

Juluru Gaurishankar, the president of the organizing committee, highlighted the consistent popularity of the fair, stating, "The fair consistently draws large crowds, and we are anticipating thousands of people to turn up. There is a need to revive reading culture, and hosting events like these is a step towards achieving that goal."

The venue for this year's exhibition, named after civil rights activist Gaddar, also features a stage named in honor of Ravva Srihari, a renowned scholar in Sanskrit and Telugu. A monument paying tribute to Telangana martyrs stands proudly on the exhibition premises.

Literary programs are scheduled every evening at 6 pm during the book fair, offering diverse content. These include a seminar on children's literature, explorations of the literary contributions of Ravva Srihari, an interview with literary critic Sangishetty Srinivasa Rao, discussions on 'Dalita Bahujana Tatvikata' by Paramahamsa, an authors' panel reflecting on the evolution of civilization, and various other engaging sessions.

Visitors express their enthusiasm for the fair, with one attendee sharing, "Attending book fairs is always fun. We are exploring the stalls and glad to discover a significant amount of Telugu literature."

Milan, a vendor from Delhi participating for the first time mentioned, "This is the first time I'm participating in an exhibition. It's been rewarding to interact with numerous book enthusiasts, addressing their queries, and connecting with people."

National Book Fair continues to welcome visitors until February 19, operating from 2 pm to 8:30 pm every day and from 1 pm to 9 pm on weekends. Entry is free for children, teachers, and journalists, making it an inclusive literary event for all.