Bookworms to throng fest

Bookworms to throng fest
DH News Service, Bangalore:


The weekend bustle was evident on day two at the Bangalore Book Festival on Palace Grounds, where over a million titles across genres continued to lure in the crowds.

The festival, organised by the Bangalore Booksellers and Publishers Association and Klub Class, is expected to host around two lakh people over the 10 days.

From Batman to Brecht to Gandhian literature, there’s a diverse range on offer at BBF 2007. Spaced in around 300 stalls, including the 43 that sell Kannada books, the festival also offers a 10 per cent discount. Balram Sadhwani, president of the BBPA, said the idea was to ensure a one-stop destination for readers across age groups and interests.

This year, there’s also an added focus on literature pegged to research and education. Top-line publishers and sellers, including National Book Trust, Pustak Mahal, Higginbothams and those from the regional publishing industries, have put up stalls at the festival. This year’s edition of the festival has product stalls set up by non-book traders as well. Some of the sellers were heard calling out the visitors to have a look at the massage equipment on show.

The organisers were also heard requesting the sellers to be within their stalls. A travel academy has also put up a stall, where brochures are being distributed.

Sadhwani, however, believes it’s all part of a diversification exercise. “This year, we thought the festival could look at providing a complete experience. There are also Pranic Healing stalls where you can fix up appointments with the instructors,” he said. Stalls selling stationery are also part of the festival, that will host variety entertainment programmes in the coming days.

Painting competitions, quiz events, cross word and scrabble competitions and cultural activities have been lined up. BBF 2007 will be on at the Palace Grounds till October 21. The entry fee is Rs 20.