Postponement of Chennai Book fair to February is worrying many now
Posted on: 18/Dec/2020 9:13:54 AM
Book buyers and book enthusiasts might have to wait for some more time now!!
Annual book fair organised in the Chennai city by BAPASI or Booksellers and Publishers Associations of South India is now making sensational news. It is known that this book fair is the second largest book fair in India. It must be taken into note that all major Tamil as well as English publishing houses participate in this annual book fair.
This book fair that is normally held in the month of January has been postponed to February due to the Covid-019 pandemic.
According to Mr. S.K. Murugan, secretary, BAPASI, the representation has been submitted to the chief minister of TN Mr. E. Palaniswamy about conducting the book fair. He added that till now no consent has been got from the government regarding this. After receiving the permission from the TN government the book fair would be held in the first week of February.
Operation of the printing presses plus conduction public functions have been stopped from March to control Covid-19 infection. This was the reason why no new books have been published and no book release functions were held.
Sending PDF copies:
The authors and publishers were disappointed and they looked out for alternative opportunities for books release like sending PDF copies to the peers. Truth is the book fair in Chennai provides a huge platform for the authors and for the publishers.
The book fair is usually conducted during the time of Pongal in January and the announcement would be made in the month of November itself. This was as per some authors. There were some rumours that the book fair might not be held in the next year as no announcements have come out till now. Mr. Murugan spoke about how BAPASI was keen to conduct Chennai book fair 2021 at the earliest.
He shed light on the 420 members of BAPASI whose lives were turned upside down due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Therefore, the associations must lend their support to the authors and publishers at this critical point of time.
On Tuesday, Mr. Murugan met the deputy CM of TN Mr, O. Paneerselvam to grant permission for the book fair. The superb information is that the officials are providing their support and soon there would be an announcement about the book fair.
It is important to mention that the association’s executive committee recently met and took decision to conduct the book fair in February first week.
