Word’s Worth

“National Film Archives of India (NFAI) is also celebrating Indian cinema’s 100 years and has put up a stall selling the reprints of rare film posters,” says PNR Rajan,convener of the fair. The NFAI has displayed posters of some classics — starting from the silent era,right up to the latest ones. They are also selling the reprinted posters of popular films such as Chalti Ka Nam Gaadi,Sholay and Alam Ara,among others.

One of the stalls that is drawing eyeballs is Kanak Books,which is displaying a wide range of Sanskrit literature. Ramesh Chouhan,from the Delhi-based organisation,says that in the past three years,the sale of rare volumes and Sanskrit literature is picking up in the city.

“There are a lot of institutes,especially at the post-graduate level,which are interested in propagating a culture of reading rare volumes among students. This year,we have brought a very large consignment of books in keeping with the demand,” he says,adding that the most popular books are the Vedas,Upanishadas and other religious texts,which the students also refer to for correct usage and grammar in Sanskrit.

Like always,the fair also has a section dedicated to literature for the physically-challenged. Aids for the hearing-impaired,books in Braille and educational aids for the blind are on display. “This year,we have two dedicated stalls for mountaineering enthusiasts and fans and followers of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj,” says Rajan.

Apart from books,a series of talks and events have been organised in association with the Maharashtra Sahitya Parishad. “On Friday,a Hasya Kavi Sammelan has been organised. Artistes such as Banda Joshi,Sandeep Avchat and Prakash Pathare will perform. On Saturday,a talk will be held on the subject of the diminishing popularity of Marathi medium schools,” says Ranjan.