37th edition of Kolkatta book fair starts on January 26

Updated on: Wednesday, December 12, 2012

The Kolkata Book Fair in January will see a congregation of eminent writers from India and Bangladesh and special sessions devoted to doyens of Bengali literature like Sunil Gangopadhyay and Syed Mustafa Siraj.

The 37th edition of the book fair, which starts on January 26, will also launch the Sunil Gangopadhyay Memorial Lecture this year in honour of the late writer and the first lecture will be delivered by poet Gulzar.

Mustafa Siraj and Gangopadhyay, both of whom died this year, are widely reverred and popular on both sides of the border.

The book fair's focal theme this year is Bangladesh which is home to some of the best in Bengali literature. The book fair will feature a literary meet which made its debut last year.

'Kalam', meaning pen in Bengali, will bring together 46 writers in English language and an equal number from Bengali from January 30 to February 3. The book fair would close on February 10.

Though writers like Gangopadhyay, Mustafa and Humayun Ahmed, who had adorned the festival several times in the past, would no longer be physically present, the fair will pay tributes to them by debating and discussing their works.

Writers from West Bengal and Bangladesh would come together on one platform to discuss their works as well on the future of Bengali writings.

Tariq A Karim, Bangaldesh's High Commissioner to India, told a press conference here, "The focal theme is Bangladesh and the country's pavilion will be a replica of the parliament of Bangladesh and the main entrance would be replica of a renowned monument in Dhaka."

While West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee would be the chief guest at the inauguration of the fair, there is no word yet on who would represent Bangaldesh at the function.

Karim said the name of the Minister who would represent Bangladesh would be known soon. In reply to a question whether Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina could attend the event, he replied "that depends on her engagements and commitments."

37th edition of Kolkatta book fair starts on January 26

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