This is the most awaited book fair of the year and the biggest of all book fairs in Odisha. The Bhubaneswar Book Fair is hosted at the Exhibition Ground since the last 31 years.
One of the oldest book fairs of the state, the Bhubaneswar Book Fair is known to be a melting pot for Odia litterateurs and readers. Every year the annual fair features around 500 stalls of which over 100 are by publishing houses from the state. Reputed publishing houses both national and international descend on the book fair, so do the book stores of repute.
During the mela many Odia publishing houses open their kiosks, offering visitors from outside the State a peek into the rich literary heritage of the state. The book fair is a veritable literary store house showcasing a wide range of works right from legendary Odia writers like Upendra Bhanja, Fakir Mohan Senapati, Gangadhar Meher to prominent contemporary writers like Manoj Das, Bibhuti Patnaik, Pratibha Ray and Pratibha Satpathy. One can also find omnibus, short stories, poetry and novels by many eminent authors from across India at the kiosks of the Book Fair.
Publication Division from New Delhi, Central Sahitya Akademi, National Book Trust also set up stalls at the fair. Among major attractions at the book fair are the heavy discounts on all bestselling English novels and the wide range of old and second hand books available at much less price than the original. These books include illustrated children’s books, scientific journals, literary masterpieces, encyclopedia and others from all over the world.
Another interesting element at the fair is a stall by veteran author and translator Jugal Kishore Dutta where he comes up with his little book of compilation of five new Odia short stories every year since over 30 years.
Book Fair Dates | 1st week of December every year |
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Duration | 11 Days |
Venue | Exhibition Ground, Bhubaneswar |