Like any other events, Kolkata Book fair has become quite a name....anything we the Bengalis can do or not, one thing we can for sure --- create a hype and thereby make it irresistible for anyone to over look.
Bengal boasts of its intelligentsia. Kolkata is proudly pronounced as the cultural capital of our country...well how far substantial that is is definitely a matter of big question...still Bengali heart seeks enormous solace from the fact that we are superior to any other race what so ever in India. And therefore who can organize a better fest of books, which has become the next big phenomenon after Durga pooja...differing not in glitz and crowd...but just it is held at one place and time span is a bit more.
Well after a grueling debate regarding where the favourite boi-mela should be held, this year it is held at Milon mela ground, off ITC.
It had been a custom, Kolkatan draping in the lazy winter sun would throng the book fair ground at Maidan, dodge the crowd, leaf through the books, comment on each and every writers they can remember...even if they have not read a single book written by the same...satisfy his belly at the food park, sing some desi version of John Lennon and then return home feeling the enormous pride of being a part of the richest cultural heritage in the country.
But those ever materialistic armies hindered this annual sojourn...and the Government shifted the fair to Salt lake stadium....and I personally is completely against this shift....not because it snatches some pseudo intellectuals' opportunity to glorify Maidan and all those bull shit...but due to utter inconvinience. Given the international stature it has obtained and the crowd it pulls....the Yuva Bharati groud or the Milan Mela ground where the 2009 fair is being held...is too small. and it results in utter chaos, mismanagement.
But that has hardly cast any spell over this year arrangements.....people are thronging...Ananda publishers have managed to show to the world that people que up to their stall and thereby displaying their remaining at the helm of Bengal intelligentsia. But Mousumi Prokashani, churning out semi pornographic literature is pulling even larger crowd and thereby testifying Bengals boldness and liberated idealism....no inhibitions please, we are Bengalis. But the top draw remains Ben fish, yet again...the aroma of the fish cuisines is irresistible. aantels are seen roaming around, not entering a single stall....and not smoking (banned after all...so sad)....couples have got a fresh place outside Rabindra Sarovar or Hedua park. This year Saraswati Pooja added to the flavour all the more. Families on week end have got a reason to say no to afternoon sleep and taste the vivacity of Bengal's culture......I heard a woman saying to another..."see we have the largest number of books...all have bought so less...Bengalis don't read...what will happen......I have bout books worth Rs 4000..."
what a display ...err of what?...do I really need to mention?
but after all this is my Kolkata...and the very charm of my city....a new reason to come out and mingle..and Kolkata is sure not to give it a miss.....so Book fair will rock this time again...anyway...
No comments:
Post a Comment