[Points: Introduction—different types of books—varieties of stalls—visitors—main attraction—book bazar—a sophisticated crowd—conclusion.]
Publishers' Guild has recently started to organize book fairs in Calcutta opposite Rabindra Sadan. It has become one of the most interesting annual events of this cultural city. I had no idea and could not have believed that a fair could be so entertaining and fascinating had I not visited it with my father last year.
It was around three o'clock when we arrived there. The main entrance was tastefully ornamented, and inside there were some three hundred pavilions of varied shapes and sizes held by different publishing houses. Nicely bound books on medicine, engineering, literature, politics, general knowledge, fiction and others were thrown open to the public; and how beautiful they looked in their smart covers! Both paper backs and hard bounds were attractively designed. The shapes and sizes of the books also varied along with their prices. While a set of Encyclopaedia Britan nica looked majestic in the environment topping in price at twelve thousand rupees, mini-journ Is-the new entrants, looked rather pigmy at one rupee. But all of them had their admirers.
Gradually the visitors poured in and the whole area became crowded. Queues in front of certain stalls lengthened and it became difficult to reach out for some books. Business at the counters was usually brisk; and I was informed that last year there was a trans action of about rupees seventy seven lakh in this fair. Customers were happy to get ten percent discount for cash purchases. Some publishing houses brought out famous and rare books on this occasion.
The main attractions of book fair were the book bazars, Hungry people swarmed round these tables for selecting their books at throw away prices. Children were also not forgotten. In fact, some stalls sold only juvenile literature both national and inter national. There were something for everybody to suit his pocket and taste. Everybody carried a couple of packets and was looking for some more. Their energy seemed inexhaustible. How I wished to buy some more books in addition to the four I had already pur chased! What a pity, I could not trace out certain books I was look ing for in spite of a thorough search in this book jungle!
In addition to book stalls, there were a number of canteens and we took refreshments in one such place. The whole atmosphere was joyous with people moving freely. The crowd was also disciplined. Indeed, it was altogether a different type of fair and I enjoyed every moment of my stay there.
