Lucknow– The ongoing Lucknow Book Fair at Ravindralaya, Charbagh, resonated with literary discussions and feminist discourse on Women’s Day. The fair, which began on March 1, will conclude Sunday. The event witnessed a massive turnout of book lovers, including students from Navyug Kanya Mahavidyalaya and other colleges.
A treasure trove of literature, the fair features books spanning various subjects, including the history of Lucknow, Awadhi stories, the grandeur of the Nawabs, contributions of the city to cinema, Kathak traditions, renowned musicians, Imambaras, and significant historical events like the Kakori revolution. Stall number 53 showcases a collection of books from ‘Lucknow Pustakmala,’ including works by experts like Yogesh Praveen. The latest addition to this collection is the 45th booklet, ‘Shadyantron Se Ghira Lucknow Ka Nawab’ (The Nawab of Lucknow Surrounded by Conspiracies).
The literary platform of the fair concluded today with an event dedicated to Indo-Nepal friendship. Former Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, Hriday Narayan Dixit, unveiled the Nepali translation of Manish Shukla’s poetry collection Nilambit Maun Ke Swar, titled Pratibandhit Maun, translated by Kathmandu-based Meena. Another book, Main Swayamsevak, was also launched. Addressing the audience, Dixit emphasized the age-old spiritual, cultural, and affectionate ties between India and Nepal, highlighting how the book symbolizes the deep-rooted connections between the two nations.
The event was graced by dignitaries, including Dr. Vijay Pandit, President of the India-Nepal Literature Festival, translator Meena, Renu Mishra, Shridhar Agnihotri, author Manish Shukla, and Harish Upadhyay.
Earlier in the day, the literary proceedings commenced with the launch of Pushpanjali, a poetry collection by Pushpa Gupta Dosar, under the chairmanship of Professor Usha Sinha. The event was attended by eminent personalities such as Mahesh Chandra Dwivedi, Dr. Sultan Shakir Hashmi, Acharya Om Neerav, Dr. Yogesh, Dr. Shivmangal Singh ‘Mangal,’ Manju Saxena, and Devesh Dwivedi ‘Devesh.’
Adding to the literary fervor, two books focusing on feminist discourse—Resham Ke Ribbon and Backbencher—authored by Dr. Rashmi Srivastava, were launched by Dr. Sudhakar Adeeb and Dr. Amita Dubey. A review of Resham Ke Ribbon, presented by Alka Pramod, highlighted its thematic depth, while Dr. Amita Dubey praised Backbencher for its relevance to students and educators. Dr. Sudhakar Adeeb provided an in-depth analysis, noting that Backbencher vividly portrays the psychological struggles of students caught in competitive pressures.
Additionally, under the moderation of Jyoti Kiran Ratan, Anant Bahadur Srivastava’s books—Jeev Jagran, Sadhana Bhakti Path, Stuti Pratiti, and Smriti Bodh Sansmaran—were launched on the literary stage.
As the day progressed, a symposium on ‘Women, State, and Religion’ marked Women’s Day celebrations, accompanied by a poetry recital featuring Taseer Naqvi, Vimal Kishore, Kamla Gautam, Usha Rai, Shantam, and Akanksha Azad. The fair also hosted a health camp by Max Hospital, benefiting numerous visitors.
With a rich blend of literary exchanges, cultural discussions, and book launches, the Lucknow Book Fair continues to uphold its tradition of intellectual enrichment and literary celebration.
