New Delhi, February 14: The 2024 World Book Fair has emerged as a haven for book enthusiasts, particularly those with a penchant for mythology.
Thanks to the newly-built Ram Mandir, mythology has surged in popularity at the fair, with the “365 Vedas” book by Ajay Mago, renowned for Om Books International’s children’s fiction, emerging as the top-selling title in the genre.
Another highly sought after book at this year’s book fair is the ‘Shrimad Bhagwat Gita in Hindi’ by Ved Vyas. Additionally, other renowned mythological books showcased at the World Book Fair 2024 include C. Rajagopalachari’s ‘Mahabharata,’ ‘The Pregnant King’ by Devdutt Pattanaik, and ‘Lakshmila: The Eternal Love Story’ by Subhi Agarwal, the event organisers said.
“Lakshmila: The Eternal Love Story”, written by Subhi Agarwal, tells the tale of the selfless love between Urmila and Lakshmana, emphasizing Urmila’s crucial role in completing the Ramayana.
Mago, recognized for children’s fiction at Om Books International, notes a significant surge in footfall at the fair, with over 1,00,000 books sold. While previously, parents often purchased cartoon character-based books for their children, there’s been a shift towards encouraging kids to explore mythology, particularly Mahabharata and Ramayana-related literature.
Despite other genres enjoying decent sales, Mago identifies mythology as the standout genre at this year’s international book fair, commending the National Book Trust (NBT) for organizing such an impressive event at Pragati Maidan.
Mythological fiction holds appeal not only for children but also for adults, as seen in the rapid sales at multiple stalls. Organizations like ‘Happy Thoughts,’ associated with the Tejgyan Global Foundation, are actively disseminating spiritual knowledge through their popular publication, “The Source,” written by Sirshree, the foundation’s founder.
This organization, based in Pune, Maharashtra, also organizes five-day Maha Aasmani Gyan Shivir events in the city to share spiritual insights.
Additionally, Book Escape, an innovative online bookstore, has become a go-to destination for mythology enthusiasts due to its partnerships with various publishers, particularly those specializing in the Mahabharata and Gita. This focus on ancient texts has garnered significant interest from readers. Situated in Hall No. 5 of the Bharat Mandapam, this themed pavilion hosts an extensive collection of books in various languages, accommodating more than 50 stores.
Following this pavilion is the Saudi Pavilion located in Hall No. 4, where the Guest of Honor country, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, showcases its culture through music, performing arts, and regional cuisines. Concurrently, various Saudi entities, under the leadership of the Literature, Publishing, and Translation Commission, participate in the fair to promote Saudi culture. Moving beyond the Saudi Pavilion.
Adjacent to it is the booth of the Istanbul Chambers of Commerce (ICOC), where translated Turkish books in languages like Hindi, English, and Bengali are available. This booth also acts as a showcase for Turkish culture through literature.
A Yuva corner has also been set up to commemorate India at 75 and honour the heroes of India’s freedom movement.
Entry to this book fair is priced at Rs 20 for adults and Rs 10 for children. However, entry is free for students in school uniform, individuals with disabilities, senior citizens, and students on educational tours. There is an online ticket for this book fair, for which one has to scan the QR and register themselves for the ticket.
The online tickets can also be purchased at the India Trade Postal Organization (ITPO) website.
The nearest transportation hub to access this expansive book fair is the Supreme Court Metro station, previously known as Pragati Maidan Metro station.
