Lucknow: The 23rd National Book Fair at Balrampur Garden entered its fifth day on Monday, with literature, discussions, book launches, poetry and cultural programmes attracting book lovers throughout the day. Dalit literature and writings on social justice emerged as an important area of interest, with several titles finding readers at the fair.
At the Samyak Prakashan stall, known for its Buddhist and Dalit literature, readers showed interest in R.L. Chandrapuri’s Brahmin Raj in India and the Backward Class Movement, Rajkumar Historian’s Nagvanshi Bharat, and Dr Rajendra Prasad Singh and Dr Shashikala’s Naye Auzaar Se Kabir Ki Khudai. Sundarlal Sagar’s Yadav (Jatav) Jeevan, originally published in 1929, has also been reissued. The stall features Ambedkarite literature as well as a range of memorabilia and gift items.
At Setu Prakashan, Ashok Gopal’s award-winning translated work Babasaheb Dr Ambedkar: Life and Thought drew attention. Rajpal’s stall featured discussion around Ambedkar and Parliamentary Democracy, edited by Ratanlal. The Constitution Promotion stall showcased books on the Constitution in different formats, along with Dr Devendra Pratap Yadav’s Zehrila Bahumat, which raises contemporary questions around democracy. Another new title, Bahujan Par Pradarshak, edited by Ramkumar Gautam, profiles 26 personalities. Among the Buddhist titles, Dr Jagannath Upadhyay’s Bharat Ko Buddha Dharma Ki Den remained a notable work.
At Prabhat Prakashan, author Mahendra Kumar Agrawal interacted with visitors about his new book Mera Sambhal Mahan, discussing Sambhal’s history, Kalki Dham, Harihar Temple, local Sanatan traditions and sati memorials.
The main stage hosted the Uttar Pradesh Sahitya Sabha’s Pranam Parivar Samman and poetry programme, conceived by Sarvesh Asthana. Family members honoured the memories of poets and literary personalities including Narendra Garal of Badaun, Balram Srivastava of Mainpuri, Arjun Singh Chand, Dr Rajiv Raj of Etawah and Gajendra Priyanshu of Barabanki. A poetry session followed under the direction of Mukul Mahan.
Earlier in the day, the Navsrijan programme witnessed the launch of two books—essay collection Sadchitt Anand and poetry collection K Se Kavi—in the presence of Dr Mithilesh Dixit, Prof Om Prakash Pandey, Om Neerav, Narendra Bhushan, Yogesh and others. A poetry programme organised by the All India A-Geet Parishad featured compositions across different poetic moods. A dialogue on Awadhi literature featured Padma Shri Vidyabindu Singh, Dr Ram Bahadur Misir, Dr Karuna Pandey, Vijay Bhaskar Pandey and Dr Harishankar Mishra.
On the second stage, Sanjeev Jaiswal presented readings from his fiction during the day, while an open-mic session facilitated discussions on books and literature. In the evening, the Jan Sanskriti Manch organised the launch of Kaushal Kishore’s Samay, Sahitya Aur Samaj, chaired by litterateur Shakeel Siddiqui. Shakeel Siddiqui, Dinesh Priyaman, Dr Usha Rai, Shailesh Pandit and Kumar Vineetabh shared their views on the book, which examines contemporary social realities. Shantam Nidhi conducted the programme, while secretary Farzana Mehdi proposed the vote of thanks.
The fair, which has free entry, remains open daily from 11 am to 9 pm. Visitors are being offered a minimum 10 per cent discount on every book purchased.
The book fair is organised by Force One, with UP Metro, Radio City, Origins, Kiran Foundation, Join Hands Foundation, Lokangan, Vishwam Foundation, Vijay Studio, Golden Grass and Kavita Kisse Kahaniyan as supporting institutions.
Programme on October 6
The sixth day will feature a poetry session by Sundaram at 11 am, an honour ceremony for senior poets at 12:30 pm, and a Navodaya poetry programme at 2 pm. Kavita Kisse Kahaniyan will organise a programme at 3 pm, followed by a Blue Trap event at 4 pm. A book launch by Vivek Shukla is scheduled for 5 pm, a book discussion at 6 pm, and a book launch by Kamini Srivastava at 7:30 pm.
