Ink and Joy: The Annual Celebration of Kolkata's Book Fair
Exploring the City of Joy's Literary Extravaganza
Picture this: a crisp winter day, wrapped in a chilly fog, and here's this buzzing crowd—still, but not quite. The air is thick with the sweet scent of books, and grins on every face spill the beans—it's a haven for book lovers worldwide. Imagine over a thousand bookstalls teasing your literary senses, and nearly a million visitors soaking it all in. Yep, we're spilling the beans on the grandest book affair in our country—the Kolkata Book Fair.
The International Kolkata Book Fair, or fondly known as Boi Mela is a winter extravaganza in Kolkata. It distinguishes itself by not being a mere trade fair; instead, it caters primarily to the general public, embracing the spirit of literature lovers. Recognized as the world's largest non-trade book fair, Asia's grandest literary event, and the most attended book fair globally, it ranks third after the prestigious Frankfurt Book Fair and the London Book Fair.
Adding a touch of cultural richness, the fair annually selects a country as its theme, offering visitors a delightful journey into the literature and art of that chosen nation. The embassy of the featured country sets up a stall where visitors can explore the literary treasures on offer.
But when did it all begin? Imagine the early 1970s, a time of intellectual fervor at Kolkata's Coffee House on College Street. Here, a group of passionate literature enthusiasts, mainly publishers, kindled a dream sparked by the magic of the Frankfurt Book Fair. The realization of their vision took shape in 1975 with the birth of the Publishers & Booksellers Guild, led by Sushil Mukherjea as the founding president and Jayant Manaktala as the general secretary.
Fast forward to 1976, and the inaugural Calcutta Book Fair unfolded its pages, as 34 publishers transformed the grounds near Victoria Memorial into a literary haven with 56 stalls. On March 5, 1976, the event came to life, courtesy of Education Minister Mrityunjay Bandyopadhyay, captivating book lovers who willingly parted with a 50 paisa entry fee. The fair's triumph found inspiration in the World Book Fair in New Delhi (1972) and the National Book Fair in Kolkata (1974).
Post their global book fair foray that year, the Publishers & Booksellers Guild took the reins, shaping the Kolkata Book Fair into an annual literary extravaganza. Evolving from a 10-day affair, it gracefully expanded into a 12-day celebration, customarily kicking off in the last week of January, a thoughtful nod to payday considerations.
And in 2014, the Kolkata International Book Fair added a vibrant chapter—the Kolkata Literature Festival, a kin to the illustrious Jaipur and Edinburgh Literature Festivals, injecting an extra layer of cultural richness into this esteemed literary milestone.
Amidst the bustling sea of people, surrounded by the maze of thousands of bookstores, the experience can be overwhelming at times. Yet, the indescribable joy of being enveloped by fellow book enthusiasts transcends the challenge of navigating through the vast literary landscape. My visit last year left me awe-inspired as I witnessed a multitude of stalls and the crowd eagerly seeking their favorite reads.
What makes the Kolkata Book Fair truly enchanting is the treasure trove of rare vintage books and art pieces, a collection that often eludes the shelves of mainstream stores. The tactile pleasure of running fingers across the pages, immersing oneself in the physicality of a book, surpasses the convenience of online purchases.
The fair is huge, and besides books, you can also find places to eat and enjoy some music. They sell books in languages other than English too, like Hindi and Urdu. It's a great time for publishers because each stall manages to sell a bunch of books every day - from 500 to 10,000!
And don't even get me started on the food stalls - they're a big hit! Last year, my sister and I took a break for some snacks while enjoying musical performances right in the middle of our book shopping. We're hoping to go again this year, and it's something we're really looking forward to!
The upcoming Kolkata Book Fair in 2024, scheduled from January 18 to 31, promises to unfold as an unprecedented literary extravaganza, surpassing all previous editions with a staggering number of stalls crossing the 1,000 mark.
In a momentous return, Germany joins the foreign participants after a hiatus of 12 years, infusing an international flair into the vibrant tapestry of literary offerings. Adding to the allure, the United Kingdom takes center stage as the distinguished theme country, contributing its rich literary tapestry to the diverse mosaic of this grand event.
A captivating new feature graced this edition — on January 24, the fair illuminated with the celebration of Senior Citizens' Day. This special occasion honored the wisdom and experience of our esteemed senior authors, publishers, and readers, creating a heartfelt moment of recognition and appreciation within the literary community.
In the hearts of Kolkata residents, the Boi Mela is more than just a gathering of books; it's a celebration akin to their cherished Durga Puja, eagerly anticipated throughout the year in the City of Joy. It goes beyond the pages, becoming a fusion of words, emotions, feelings, and cherished memories—a tapestry of nostalgia interwoven with stories passed down through generations.
As Kolkata eagerly prepares for the upcoming celebration, the atmosphere is charged with the promise of delightful adda, culinary delights, and a public outpouring of love for the written word and the joy of reading. The excitement is contagious, and personally, I'm bursting with anticipation, hoping to be part of this literary extravaganza once again this year!
For those fortunate enough to be in the city, I urge you to carve out some time and immerse yourself in this extraordinary experience. And if you're not in Kolkata, make a plan to visit at the end of January next year for this fantastic book fair.