Valedictory letter and a promise to meet again in 2013!

Dear book worms and bibliophiles,

Hope this posts finds you snug with all the books you purchased at the World Book Fair that are now neatly stacked in your shelves or kept on your bed side tables.

The last 9 days you smelt the sweet fragrance of, caressed the spines of, and felt the warmth of books that transported you to other spaces and time at the fair. Besides browsing and purchasing books we had fun times together watching films; meeting authors, critics, filmmakers; attending workshops. The fair would have not been the success that it was without your love, assistance and co operation.

It is time to bid good bye now. However this goodbye comes with a promise to meet again. A promise that you will see bear fruition in 2013. 

Happy reading till then. May you have a year full of books.

With the love and embrace of books.

World Book Fair

New Delhi

Behind the scenes with Farida M. Naik, Jt. Director (Admin & Finance) NBT

In a conversation with Farida M. Naik, Joint Director (Admin & Finance) NBT

Please give us a behind the scenes view of the fair.
Everyone's been on their toes for the last 2 months and the work was divided between many people. Everyone worked hard starting from the director who would be typing letters and personal invites to celebrities and ministers. We worked very closely as a team and that is what has made the difference.

What are the changes that you wanted to bring about that you regret not having been able to implement?
We wanted to give a professional look to the entire affair which we were able to achieve. One thing that we wanted was seating space for the visitor. In the end there was too much rush so we weren't able to achieve that. However, we were able to have a lot of walking space. Most of the things we had planned we were able to achieve.

What is your vision for the coming year?
We have made great progress but we aim to make it better. We'll put in more hard work and achieve all that we couldn't do this year.

How does it feel with the event coming to a close?
In the last two months we were deeply involved in arranging the fair. We do have many activities which we need to get on with but one will miss working on the book fair till it's time for the next one in 2013!

Interview with Sumit Bhattacharjee, Asst. director NBT

As the fair draws to an end, we spoke to some of those who were are the pillars of the fair. We spoke to Sumit Bhattachajee, the Assistant director of National Book Trust about the travails and experience of putting up the gala event that the book fair is. 

What goes into the making of the World Book Fair?

Hardwork, planning and goodwill. If one of them is missing, nothing can be done.

What have you tried to do differently at this year's fair?

I've been associated with the book fair for several years now. This is probably my 14th time. This time we have a new team. We thus thought we should do something new this time that is better than what we've done before. I can't blow my own trumpet beyond this so I will leave it for the people who have visited the fair to comment.

How did you conceptualize the theme of the fair?

We wanted to do something combining literature and cinema because cinema is celebrating 100 years next year. We even released a calendar on the theme of Cinema and Literature. That was a big success. After that we began work on this theme.

What were the efforts that went into attracting young people to the fair?

The dates of the world book fair coincided with school exams this time so we targeted young adults. We had a massive advertising campaign through which we were able to get massive footfall at the fair.

Any closing comments to the audience on the social media networks?

Hope to see you again next year!

Firsts at the 20th New Delhi World Book Fair

'Fair News'

With the fair getting bigger and better this year NBT had introduced many things for the first time. The information kiosk was one of them. These kiosks available at all the halls exhibiting books at the fair were found to be of extremely useful as they contained information about the various features of the book fair and which hall was hosting what genre of books. It also contained a Publication wise list that gave very specific and pertinent information.

The second new entrant at the fair was the 'Fair News', published daily. The leaflet contained news from the previous day's activities and informed the visitors to the fair about the events lined up for that day. The leaflet was full of photographs and detailed descriptions of the events of the book fair so as to not make up for what you may have missed at the fair. National Centre for Children's Literature published a daily mail exclusively for children discussing children's workshops, books and comments of the visitors to the children's pavilion.

The book fair goes e-savvy

Abreast with the rapid changes and challenges in the technologizing of books, the World Book Fair hosted a seminar on How e-publishing technologies and market developments will create opportunities for book publishers and printers. 

The two day seminar discussed- How Authors can benefit by new approaches in ePublishing of Self-Publishing and On Demand Publishing; how the Publishing ecosystem can offer ePublishing on Mobile devices including Tablets, Reading Devices and Smartphones; how publishers and authors could use e-distribution mechanisms to monetize their book inventory and the discovery of content in the age of tablets, e-readers and Google

The ePublishing event was targeted to introduce the new concepts, tools and technologies and evelopments in the digital publishing space.

The Children's Pavilion- Bustling with colour and activity

The Children's Pavilion was the most colourful and vivacious corner of the book fair with thousands of books in varying shapes and sizes adorning the shelves of each stall. From comics to graphic novels to 3 D books to educational tools, the children's pavilion enchanted the little ones. 

At the pavilion, the activities organized through the day entailed meetings with authors, Maths workshops, poetry recitation. Katha organized a cartoon making workshop in which children were imparted tips on how to make their sketches attractive. Pratham Books organized a book reading session. They also organized a puppet show based on the story- 'Laddu ka Swaad' which tickled children's funny bones. Kartik Sharma from Eklavya recited fun limericks which the children recited after him.

Origami and craft workshops were also organized for children where they learnt the art of folding that lends itself to the construction of various items of great amusement and function. Children also entertained each other with performances like the one titled- 'Kitabein karti hain baatien' wherein each child adorned the role of a book and appealed to people to read them.  

Nandita Das Talks to Children about Books and Films

Nandita Das

At the session, 'Bal Katha se Cinema Tak' organized by Bachpan Society of Children's Literature in collaboration with National Centre for Children's Literature was present, actor and the present chairperson of Children's Film Society of India, Nandita Das.  She spoke of the need to promote children's films free of violence. She encouraged children to take part in theatre activities in school if they aspired to act in her films. 

She spoke about her favourite books and how they have contributed to the development of her personality. Speaking of the similarity between books and cinema, she said that both of them introduce the reader/ audience to a brand new world. 

Kalam ignites the fire of knowledge at the fair

At an interactive session titled 'Books, Reading and their Influence on My Life' former President, APJ Abdul Kalam said that books ignite imagination and that they are beautiful companions. 

In an interactive session with children, Abdul Kalam said that e-books could never replace real books. The rocket scientist and people's president inspired children and adults alike with the stirring stories of the pursuit of knowledge he narrated. He made the audience take a oath to start a library in their homes  and dedicate an hour a day at least to reading. 

He set an example of a voracious reader by buying lots of books from the fair himself. 

Bollywood through the Bioscope

A bioscope

The World Book Fair brought out what has become a relic from the past, the bioscope to be viewed by a generation that has not known the phenomenon of the bioscope man coming to their town. The news of the bioscope man's arrival would spread like wild fire. Children would huddle around the colourful machine, impatiently nudging each other to get a peek inside the bioscope. The bioscope man would crank rolls of images which would be magnified through a lens fitted on the viewing windows. There would be music to accompany the images which would charm and attract people to the colouful box of images. 

At the book fair, outside the cinema pavilion was stationed a bioscope and the bioscope man that manages to capture the fancy of a generation that has been brought up on an (overfed) diet of the moving image. Children and adults alike thronged to the bioscope and were filled with glee at seeing this antiquated object.   

Tribute to Tagore

Ravindranath Tagore

The Sahitya Akademi organized a pavilion dedicated to Tagore at the fair. The pavilion had a statue of Tagore in white stone that reminds one of his towering personality and achievements in the field of literature. The pavilion was to commemorate the 150th birthday of the writer.  Books by and about Tagore were on display. Additionally, the place was full of posters, paintings and sketches of Tagore. The nobel laureate was aptly commemorated by the book fair.

Last two days of the fair!

If you have still not visited the World Book Fair at Pragati Maidan you have just two days left to get hold of your copies of books you've been wanting to read. The fair wraps up on Sunday, the 4th of March.

Interesting events at the CINEMA PAVILION being organized TODAY (3.3.2012) are:

WORKSHOP ON WRITING FILM APPRECIATION

Session 1: Screenwriting in Indian Context by Anil Zankar
                  (11.30am - 1pm)
Session 2: How to Read a Film by Anupam Siddharth
                  (1.30pm - 3pm)

PANEL DISCUSSION ON URDU LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE

Panelists:

Farooq Sheikh, actor

Sagar Sarhadi, film writer and director

Javed Siddiqui, screenwriter and playwright

Salim Arif, theatre activist

Basharat Ahmad Farooq, critic

Aziz Siddiqi,writer and critic

Still from the film Maati Maay

FILM SCREENING  

Maati Maay (Chitra Palekar, Marathi, 2006)  

The film is based on a Bengali short story, Daayen, by Mahashweta Devi. It is th heart rending tale of a young mother who is trapped between her instincts and needs, and the compulsions of her ancestral duty as dictated by the social system.

Gul Panag releases "Never Let Me Go"

Gul Panag

Actor Gul Panag released Sachin Garg's latest book 'Never Let me Go', published by Grapevine India Publishers, at the World Book Fair. The book is about an engineering student, the travails in his life and how he flees to Goa to escape them. The book, Garg revealed is inspired his own experiences as he was encouraged by his friends to write a book about his own life. 

Gul Panag said that the appeal of the book would span across all age groups. She added that the book encapsulates the feel of Goa well. 

This is Garg's second book. His first, It's First Love was also inspired by his own life.

Tribute to Bhupen Hazarika

The World Book Fair paid homage to iconic singer, poet, music composer journalist, author and film-maker- Bhupen Hazarika by releasing the book published by Spectrum called Bhupen Da: The Bard of Brahmaputra. Hazarika who sang of humanity and universal camaraderie died recently, leaving a haze of grief. The release of this book is a fitting tribute to the Assamese maestro who was admired and loved in not just India but the whole subcontinent.

 The book was launched as a hardcover by Shanta Sharabjit Singh, Vice Chairman of Sangeet Natak Academy. The paperback version is to follow up soon.

Found in translation

This time at the book fair much stress has been laid on translations. At the inaugural ceremony several NBT officials and other guests illuminated on the importance of translations. When literature in languages unknown to one are made available in the language  one comprehends, it makes available to us a whole world of sensibilities and sensations we are unfamiliar with. It also helps spread share ideas between people who share the same ideology and/ or cause but may not share a language of expression. Professor Mridula Mukherjee illuminated the example of the freedom struggle and how works originally in Bengali were translated to Marathi to unite the country's diverse and dispersed fight for independence. 

At a function at the fair writer Manoj Das remarked that every World Book Fair sees an increase in the number of translated copies. “Translated copies introduce new thought and consciousness," he said. In a country where there are so many official languages translations play a great role in the sharing of ideas. Thus the efforts of NBT to release translated copies of more and more books each year are commendable. 

A vast variety to choose from...

With 1,200 Indian and foreign publishers at the book fair this year there is a wide variety to choose from. Each stall at the fair promises something exclusive and exciting. Here is a brief review of some of the Indian publishers on display.

Rupa Publications, to mark the 150th birthday of Rabindranath Tagore, has dedicated a section to the poet. Tagore's plays, poetry anthologies and novels are priced reasonably and stalked at the stall. These small paper backs are affordable and light to carry around when travelling. 

The Penguin stall is easy to identify with its silver jubilee mascot ambassador car parked in the midst of heaps of books. To attract both, people looking for fast and easy reads in the form of their "metro reads", as well as former bestsellers like Arundhati Roy’s The God of Small Things. Paperback reprints of hugely popular novels like Shobhaa De's Starry Nights and R. K Narayan's The Guide are affordable. Penguin also offers merchandise like bags, mugs and notebooks. 

The Harper Collin's stall offers an interesting activity to the visitors of the fair. The ‘Harper Collins Tweet a story’ goes like this: Post a 40 word story on the publisher’s India Twitter account. The best ones will be made part of a small book. The stall offers a comic take on Confessions of a Serial Dieter by placing a weighing scale at the stall called Confessions of a Serial Dieter Weighing scale where one can weigh oneself.

All in all, the book fair offers a variety spread over a huge expanse so spend the weekend at the fair and enjoy the myriad genres of books on offer.

Cultural evening

After a long day of moving from hall to hall at Pragati Maidan browsing through, selecting and purchasing books the cultural programmes organized by the book fair authorities help one unwind. The evening programmes have traditional Indian dances and songs to entertain the public thronging to the fair. 

For those who like cultural programmes such as these better than winding up with a book at the end of the day, the show is a visual and aural treat. The world book fair authorities have made sure that the fair be a affair that promises a little something to all. For the foodies there are several food stalls offering multiple cuisines. So even if you are not a book lover, visit the fair because you're sure to find something at the fair that will capture your fancy- a film screening, a workshop or a dance performance.

Listening in...

By Manjari Kaul

When I was a little girl I would love and look forward to the end of the day when I would sit on my father's knee and he'd tell me a bedtime story. These stories - of adventures and animals, fantastical and read were sometimes read out to me and at other times just folklores and tales that I would listen to with much eagerness before being tucked into bed. However, these story telling sessions ended when I learnt  how to read myself. The experience of the first novel I read was a heady sense of achievement. But I always missed being read out to- the warmth of a voice telling the story made the stories more real for me. 

When I came across audio books at the book fair I was thrilled. I stood and listened to the Mark Twain's Adventures of Tom Sawyer being read out to me by a recorded voice. Audio books are reviving the tradition of story telling and thus making stories more accessible. Reado which deals in audio-books has a stall at the fair that sells audio books classics like children's classics (Peter Pan, Alice in Wonderland and Jungle Book to name a few) to self help books for adults. At the Flipkart these audio files have been made available to be heard by anyone who wishes to do so.

Audio books are a boon to the visually impaired as well. Now one can listen to a book while jogging, cooking, walking, travelling. The book, compressed to an mp3 format doesn't have to add bulk to your luggage but be a file on your phone, i pad, tablet etc.

Amol Palekar at The World Book Fair

By Eby John

Noted actor and film maker Amol Palekar was at the World Book Fair today for a book launch and a panel discussion. The Golmaal star spoke quite briefly on Indian Cinema, Theater and Books. 

He highlighted as to how every Maharashtrian as himself has immense love and passion for its 160 years old theater industry. Commenting on how cinema has been acting as a binding force among Indians since the beginning he said that every second person in India knows and is capable of commenting on how probably SRK should act or how bollywood films should be made.

When asked why he doesn’t act in films anymore, he very humbly responded by saying  " I would rather like to be asked this question for the rest of my life than to be asked ‘Why the hell do you act?’ "

On comparisons between contemporary films and yesteryear films he made his views very clear that films change with time. He believes that nowadays everything is loud and has to be shouted from the rooftop to be heard. According to him making good films while taking social and cultural evolutions into consideration is what should be done. 

His advice to young  theater, film and literature enthusiasts is to change the trend themselves if they don’t like something rather than wanting someone else to do it for them.

Taking one last question from one of the audience who had asked that why are films with positive social messages not made nowadays, he had just four words to say before he smiled and took leave- “Aap Banaiye aisi Filmein !!!”

Javed Akhtar at the World Book Fair

By Eby John

Eminent poet, lyricist and scriptwriter Javed Akhtar had come to preside over a book launch function at the World Book Fair today. Two original Urdu Titles were released namely ‘Jauhar-E-Adakaari’ by Latafat Hussain Kazi and ‘Urdu Aur Bollywood’ by Suhail Akhtar Warsi.

Javed enlightened and amused the audience by his witty and brief speech on Urdu Language. Pin pointing at the general incorrect assumption of moviegoers he said- “jab tak dialogue samajh aa raha ho log usse hindi samajhte hai, jab samajh se bahar ho jaye toh kehte hai ye urdu hai”. The audience continuously received laughter jolts throughout his speech.

He explained through examples how a normal sentence in a conversation contains words from different origins. He commented on the present trend in films and dialogues in them, stressing the need to preserve the actual ‘Hindustaani Zubaani’ that he said the youngsters have forgotten. The veteran congratulated the two authors at the occasion of their book release.

In the end he was presented a momento by NBT chairman MA Sikandar, to which he playfully responded by saying “isse kehte hai ghanto ka kaam, ‘momento’ mein karna”.

Japan Stall at the book fair

The Japan Foundation has put up a stall at the World Book Fair, New Delhi
whose main focus is on promoting Manga comics. The Manga collection on
display cover action, detective, dramas, romance and many more genres.
A screen at the entrance of the stall shows anime films through the day.

In an interview, Machiko Yamamura, the Assistant Director of Japan
Foundation said that their aim was to introduce Manga, something that
is hugely popular among the Japanese youth to the Indian youth. She
added, “Everyone knows about Ikebana and Origami so we wanted to
introduce those aspects of Japanese culture that are not that well
known in India through the medium of this exhibition of books.”
Talking about the reading habit among Japanese, she said that Japanese
like to read a lot. They use it to unwind from their stressful work situations.
Machiko Yamamura said she was curious to know the reactions of people,
 especially the youth visiting the book fair, to the Manga comics.

Alongside the comics there are small figurines of these Manga characters
and their costumes on display at the Manga Cafe. The figurines exhibit
the popularity of Manga in contemporary Japan and raise the interest
of those who are gradually being ushered into the magical world of
Manga through this exhibition.

For the uninitiated... Manga is the Japanese word for 'comic' or 'cartoon'.
In the west the word 'Manga' has come about to be used for cartoons or
comics produced in Japan or by Japanese authors in Japanese language
in a style that was developed in late 19th century.

Photos courtesy: Safal Choudhary

Delhi Pavilion

Joining into Delhi government's celebration of 100 years of the capital, NBT in association with Roli books has organized a pavilion dedicated to Delhi. Here is a sneak peak into the space. For a detailed view, visit the fair!

A Stroll Through the Cinema Pavilion...

35MM camera at the cinema pavilion, Photo: Safal Choudhary

The cinema pavilion of the book fair is lively with film discussions, screenings, releases of books on cinema and interaction with film directors such as Muzaffar Ali ( best known for his Umrao Jaan released in 1981), veteran actors such as Sushma Seth and Satish Kaushik, writers such as Javed Akhtar. Images and stills from films are displayed in the pavilion. The main attraction however remains the 35mm camera that was used by early filmmakers like Satyajit Ray. Books on cinema, film theory and scripts of films have also been displayed at the pavilion. 

Javed Akhtar and Satish Kaushik with the director of NBT

Biographies of noted film personalities such as Dev Anand, Rajnikanth, Pran, Raj Kapoor and many others have been exhibited for fans to get a glimpse of their favourite star's life. Three braille books - "Cinema of Satyajit Ray", "Balraj, My Friend" and "Dada Saheb Phalke" – have also been released at the book fair for the benefit of the visually impaired. Famous film adaptations are being screened at the pavilion. Films like Pather Panchali (Satyajit Ray, 1955), Shib Biwi Aur Ghulam (Guru Dutt, 1962), the TV series Malgudi Days (Shanker Nag), based on R.K. Narayan's novel by the same name are screened at the cinema pavilion.

Audience watching Umrao Jaan.

The pavilion not only entertains but educates the visitors of  the book fair about the deep relationship of literature and cinema, how they are often compared to each other, often seen as antagonistic forms of art but together they form culture that constantly influences and sometimes even inspires us.

Find the complete schedule of films screenings and  other events at the cinema pavilion @

 http://www.nbtindia.org.in/download/Feb2012/WBF/Theme.pdf

The book fair's Souvenir shop

When you come to the wold book fair you can take back with you much more than just books. First time in the last 20 years the World Book Fair New Delhi has brought out souvenirs-

T. Shirts, caps, badges, magnets, mugs and stickers are all for keeps. There are varied and interesting designs to choose from with cool slogans on them. The souvenirs are available in Hall no. 7, near the Information Desk.

So this time when set out on a sunny day to spend the day under a tree with a book go wearing a T. Shirt and cap that flaunts your identity as a 'bibliophile', with a cup of tea in hand that declares your love for literature. The magnets of 'Just read' and 'I love books' can go up on your fridge or the metal cupboard in your room. Flaunt the badge of "book worm" on your T Shirt or attach it to your bag for it's no less than a honorary medal to flaunt! :)

Photos courtesy Safal Choudhary

Children's Hour

Children are the unofficial chief guests of the 20th World Book Fair, New Delhi.

Many children were seen enjoying browsing and purchasing books with their guardians and teachers during the weekend. Surrounded by books, they seemed ready to embark upon the adventurous journey of books.

There are many activities and workshops being organised for children at the fair besides the thousands of children's books on sale by various publishing houses. 12 noon to 1pm everyday of the 9 day fair will be Sterling Children's Hour where many activities will be organized for children.

These efforts are in order to inculcate the reading habit among children so that they use books not just as reservoirs of knowledge but as good companions and a source of endless joy!

Panel discussion on "Filming Fiction: Tagore , Premchand and Ray"

Still from Ray's Charulata (1964), based on a story by Tagore

On the opening day- the 25th of February the afternoon session in the cinema pavilion was a panel discussion on the book Filming Fiction: Tagore, Premchand and Ray. The book addresses the mutual relationship between literature and film in the Indian context involving three iconic figures -- Rabindranath Tagore, Premchand and Satyajit Ray. The discussion that revolved around the theme of the book was held between Anuradha Ghosh, Brinda Bose, Shohini Ghosh and Ira Bhaskar who put forth their stands on the film versus adaptation debate. 

The discussion ended on a consensual note that cinema and literature are two different forms, each enjoying its distinct character which is brought for by an "adaptation". A film adaptation of a literary piece is constantly in conversation with it, as it reiterates it's cultural or aesthetic significance.  

Unveiling of Poster of Film actors

Dr. S. Y Quraishi, Chief Election Commissioner of India and and Mr. Sandeep Marwah, Director of Asian Academy of Film and Television jointly released the Pink Ribbon Book Tag and unveiled a poster of film legends who struggled with cancer. Priya Dutt, the daughter of Nargis who was supposed to unveil the poster could not make it to the event due to her busy schedule. However, she sent her warm wishes and congratulations to NBT and the cancer society.

Hindi film actor, Nargis, who died of cancer

Interview with M.A. Sikander, Director-NBT

By Manjari Kaul

Excerpts of an interview with M.A. Sikander, director, National Book Trust:

M.A. Sikander

 Manjari Kaul: How do you feel about the Union HRD Minister declaring the World Book Fair to be an annual event?

MA Sikander: I am happy that the government has considered that the biennial event be made annual. However, an event of this magnitude requires a lot of organization, planning and depends heavily on funding. There is many a thing to be done between a decision and it's realization. Having said that, the fair  becoming an annual affair is a welcome decision. 

MK: What are the chief features of this year's book fair?

MAS: The theme this year is Literature & Cinema. Over 300 books in English, Hindi, Urdu and regional languages dealing with Indian cinema are exhibited. There is a special pavilion dedicated to cinema. Further, continuing the government's celebration of hundred years of Delhi will be a special focus on Delhi as well through a display of photographs and books describing the city. Through this we have made an effort so that the focus on books is not lost.

MK: Apart from books what else can a person visiting the fair expect to encounter/ enjoy?

MAS: We have organized several book releases, film screenings and cultural events. It is a challenge to keep an event alive for 9 days  but we hope that through these events and the love for books more and 

more people come in to visit the fair. 

MK: Are there any special attractions for children and the youth as this is really when most people pick up the reading habit?

MAS: Yes, childhood is really when one develops the reading habit. A lot of people say that they will read after retirement but that really never happens. This habit must be inculcated during childhood itself so that they enjoy the joys of reading throughout their lives. There is a special children's pavilion and special workshops are being held for children. We will hold one workshop on Mathematics skills for children.

MK: What is your message for those who have not visited the fair yet?  

MAS: My message is really for the parents. They should get their children to the fair and introduce their children to the habit of reading. Books are a tool of character building. Reading books can also be relaxing experience. Lastly, books are our best friends!

  

The World Book Fair is inaugurated!

HRD minister Kapil Sibal declares the World Book Fair 2012 open .

The World Book fair was thrown open yesterday, the 25th of February, in the midst of much joy and excitement. At the Hamsadhwani open air theatre, HRD minister Kapil Sibal declared that the biennial fair would be made an annual affair. He also expressed his dream of knowledge to be free for the children of the country. 

Professor Mridula Mukherjee who was one of the chief speakers at the inaugural event spoke about the importance of books and the written word through the history of the country's struggle for independence. She stressed on the importance and power of books in spreading ideas and empowering people.

Photo courtesy: Safal Choudhary

The fair, which is being hosted at Pragati Maidan will go on from the 25th of February to the 4th of March. It is the 20th in the series of book fairs organized by NBT. The fair has 1,300 exhibitors in 2,500 kiosks in 10 of the 12 halls at Pragati Maidan spread over 45,000 square metres.

NBT's Theme Pavilion- 100 Years of Indian Cinema

This year's theme for the book fair is 'Literature & Cinema'. There will be a special pavilion on this theme. Look out for the pavilion and the myriad book releases, discussions, film screenings and other events this pavilion will host. The pavilion is in Pragati Maidan's Hall 7.



In keeping with the theme of the fair is the National Book Trust Calendar 2012 on Indian Cinema and Literature which will be available for sale at the fair.

The calendar was released at a function held at India International Center by veteran film actor Farooq Sheikh. It has been published to commemorate 100 years of Indian Cinema.

NBT Calendar Release

The calendar features some of the auteurs of Indian cinema who have made some great films based on literary works. The filmmakers and writers whose film stills are featured in the calendar include, Dada Saheb Phalke, Joseph David Penkar, Ardeshir Irani, Bibhuti Bhushan Bandyopadhaya, Satyajit Ray, Ritwik Ghatak, Shaktipada  Rajguru, Abrar Alvi, Bimal Mitra, Mrinal Sen, Kalindi Charan Panigrahi, Mani Kaul, Mohan Rakesh, Gulzar. The calendar has been conceptualized and designed by National Book Trust, India in collaboration with Satyajit Ray Film & Television Institute, Kolkata and National Film Archive of India, Pune. 

The cost of a calendar is 50 Rupees only and can be purchased from NBT Bookshops located in Delhi, Bengaluru, Kolkata and Mumbai. 

For more information on addresses and timings of the NBT Bookshops please visit us at our website: www.nbtindia.org.in 

An open letter to all book and film lovers of Delhi

Dear book worms, bibliophiles and cine-buffs,

Hope this posts finds you in the best of spirits this spring.

This season- smell the sweet fragrance of, caress the spine of, feel the warmth of books and be transposed to the world... of books

The biennial World Book fair is here again to serenade you in its melody. It begins on the 25th of February, sprawled across the lengths of Pragati Maidan. The fair offers books of various genes and languages. Along with a gala time for book lovers this year the fair brings good news for those of you who love cinema as well. The theme of the book fair is 'Literature and Cinema' as the book fair celebrates 100 years of Indian cinema. 

Alongside Indian publishers the book fair, which will be bigger and better this year, will see lots of foreign participation. Book releases, film screenings, special workshop and activities for children are only a few of the attractions of the fair this year.

So, what are you waiting for? Gather your friends and hop on to the metro, bus, auto, scooter or car and join us in this festival of books.

Hope to see you soon.

The love and embrace of books awaiting you,

World Book Fair, 
New Delhi