Chennai Book Fair: Exploring Legacy, Politics, and Cinema

The 48th edition of the Chennai Book Fair at YMCA Nandanam has turned out to be a haven for bibliophiles, especially those interested in specific topics. CE brings you some popular picks

CHENNAI: If you grew up in Chennai, chances are the Chennai Book Fair was one of your earliest glimpses into a world brimming with stories. Perhaps it was the class trips where one saved pocket money for a new book or the family outing once a year, when one of the elders would bargain over an extra bag to carry home the loot. For me, it was my grandfather who used to take me and I would pick up whatever was attractive — quite often a book that seemed fashionable at the time, like a shiny new Tintin comic. Now, strolling through the fair, I would feel that elation again. It's just like going back to those uncomplicated moments of discovery.

In the halls of the fair today, the merriment that has developed throughout the years cannot be removed from that same sense of delightful chaos that the fair gives off. Corners are lined with stalls providing something for the taste of anyone: adventurous escapades or those books that ignite inquisitiveness. In the middle of it all, a child's voice is heard, full of excitement, tugging at his mother, begging, "Amma, idhu mattum vaangitha ma! " pointing to the latest Geronimo Stilton book.

These little moments capture the essence of the fair, which, this year, showcased three particular stalls that stand out.

Taking legacies forward The first stop was Kavitha Publications, a stall that instantly felt like it belonged in the fair, bridging old traditions with fresh narratives. C Kavitha, the managing director, explains the legacy of her company, started by her father, S Chockalingam, who transitioned from printing media to publishing. “We’ve been in this for over 30 years, since my father started the company.

His first book was about MGR, and we’ve grown ever since,” Kavitha shares with a smile.

This eclectic mix of recent releases and works from Tamil literary heritage, be it Jayakanthan or Vaasanthi, and truly cultural treasures in the form of books on Ilaiyaraaja's music, she said, "We bring ancient works, too, to the fair. Whatever we have, we present. If we run out of a title during a fair like this, we print extra especially for that."

With a stock of about 100 titles, the fair always sees a new batch of books from Kavitha Publications — a sign of the company’s commitment to nurturing Tamil literature, both ancient and contemporary. Kavitha notes that “Since the pandemic, we’ve only seen about 50 new titles, but this year it’s picking up again.” Not too far down the aisle, People’s Publishing House has its own draw. A whole different world, yet no less riveting. Founded in 1947, PPH's political and intellectual thrust could not be better timed, though it has survived far longer than today's much-discussed concepts of democracy and left-wing politics have been. Rajan PK, an editor at the kiosk, expounds, "We have catered to leftist journals even before independence, provided books in important Indian languages, and now, here, in Tamil.". We are very popular among the young crowd — IT professionals, UPSC aspirants.

We sell books like Outsider in the White House by Bernie Sanders and others that range from economics to philosophy." Though they have been at the book fair only for two years, Rajan points out that they were already overtaking last year's sales. "We broke even in the first six days this time, which is fantastic.". We cater to all kinds of readers, from the casual reader looking into Indian and European philosophy to somebody who wants a deeper understanding of political science or economics in the democratic context," he says. It offers a huge spectrum of the left-wing as well as literature on democracy across the board–reading material indispensable not only to academics but any interested person about engaging deeply with contemporary social and political climate

As Rajan put it, “We’re here to broaden perspectives and promote the idea that economics, especially, should be approached as a science — a broad, deep discipline that everyone can explore.”

The literature of cinema

Ever wondered what goes into making the magic on screen — screenplay, cinematography, editing? If you have ever felt an urge to know more about the craft of filmmaking, Pesamozhi Publications stall might just be your next stop. The "I Love Pure Cinema" sign proudly displayed on the stall makes it a treasure trove for anyone keen on exploring the technical side of cinema.

Founded by Arun Mo, the idea is pretty straightforward: to fill in the gap for cinema-related technical literature, particularly in Tamil. Mothilal, with them since its inception, elucidates, "In India, there's very little available in terms of technical cinema books in languages like Tamil. We are here to fill that gap, to help filmmakers and film lovers gain the kind of insight into their craft that can truly shape their storytelling.

For anyone looking to learn more about the craft of filmmaking, their collection is a goldmine — ranging from books on cinematography and color grading to screenwriting and film theory. The stall isn't just about teaching you how to film; it's about understanding why certain shots evoke emotions, why lighting and angles matter, and how editing can elevate a scene to something unforgettable. Among the authors whose work is featured at Pesamozhi is author Sai Vijendhiran. He shared insights about his books, like Characters Matter, where he encourages writers to break away from clichés and create up to 60,000 different characters for their stories. He also spoke about his latest release, Anytime Writer" which explores the fundamental question of what kind of writer you can be. "Writing," he says, "is not for the elite few. It is a process, an exploration, open to all.

This book helps you discover what kind of writer you are and pushes you to create." The Chennai Book Fair is a place of nostalgia and surprise: the first edition of Agatha Christie or discovering that long-lost classic you did not know you were searching for. Don't just leave it on the shelf. Grab that gem and let the reading begin!The 48th edition of the Chennai Book Fair at YMCA Nandanam has turned out to be a haven for bibliophiles, especially those interested in specific topics. CE brings you some popular picks

CHENNAI: If you grew up in Chennai, chances are the Chennai Book Fair was one of your earliest glimpses into a world brimming with stories. Perhaps it was the class trips where one saved pocket money for a new book or the family outing once a year, when one of the elders would bargain over an extra bag to carry home the loot. For me, it was my grandfather who used to take me and I would pick up whatever was attractive — quite often a book that seemed fashionable at the time, like a shiny new Tintin comic. Now, strolling through the fair, I would feel that elation again. It's just like going back to those uncomplicated moments of discovery.

In the halls of the fair today, the merriment that has developed throughout the years cannot be removed from that same sense of delightful chaos that the fair gives off. Corners are lined with stalls providing something for the taste of anyone: adventurous escapades or those books that ignite inquisitiveness. In the middle of it all, a child's voice is heard, full of excitement, tugging at his mother, begging, "Amma, idhu mattum vaangitha ma! " pointing to the latest Geronimo Stilton book.

These little moments capture the essence of the fair, which, this year, showcased three particular stalls that stand out.

Taking legacies forward The first stop was Kavitha Publications, a stall that instantly felt like it belonged in the fair, bridging old traditions with fresh narratives. C Kavitha, the managing director, explains the legacy of her company, started by her father, S Chockalingam, who transitioned from printing media to publishing. “We’ve been in this for over 30 years, since my father started the company.

His first book was about MGR, and we’ve grown ever since,” Kavitha shares with a smile.

This eclectic mix of recent releases and works from Tamil literary heritage, be it Jayakanthan or Vaasanthi, and truly cultural treasures in the form of books on Ilaiyaraaja's music, she said, "We bring ancient works, too, to the fair. Whatever we have, we present. If we run out of a title during a fair like this, we print extra especially for that."

With a stock of about 100 titles, the fair always sees a new batch of books from Kavitha Publications — a sign of the company’s commitment to nurturing Tamil literature, both ancient and contemporary. Kavitha notes that “Since the pandemic, we’ve only seen about 50 new titles, but this year it’s picking up again.” Not too far down the aisle, People’s Publishing House has its own draw. A whole different world, yet no less riveting. Founded in 1947, PPH's political and intellectual thrust could not be better timed, though it has survived far longer than today's much-discussed concepts of democracy and left-wing politics have been. Rajan PK, an editor at the kiosk, expounds, "We have catered to leftist journals even before independence, provided books in important Indian languages, and now, here, in Tamil.". We are very popular among the young crowd — IT professionals, UPSC aspirants.

We sell books like Outsider in the White House by Bernie Sanders and others that range from economics to philosophy." Though they have been at the book fair only for two years, Rajan points out that they were already overtaking last year's sales. "We broke even in the first six days this time, which is fantastic.". We cater to all kinds of readers, from the casual reader looking into Indian and European philosophy to somebody who wants a deeper understanding of political science or economics in the democratic context," he says. It offers a huge spectrum of the left-wing as well as literature on democracy across the board–reading material indispensable not only to academics but any interested person about engaging deeply with contemporary social and political climate.

As Rajan put it, “We’re here to broaden perspectives and promote the idea that economics, especially, should be approached as a science — a broad, deep discipline that everyone can explore.”

The literature of cinema

Ever wondered what goes into making the magic on screen — screenplay, cinematography, editing? If you have ever felt an urge to know more about the craft of filmmaking, Pesamozhi Publications stall might just be your next stop. The "I Love Pure Cinema" sign proudly displayed on the stall makes it a treasure trove for anyone keen on exploring the technical side of cinema.

Founded by Arun Mo, the idea is pretty straightforward: to fill in the gap for cinema-related technical literature, particularly in Tamil. Mothilal, with them since its inception, elucidates, "In India, there's very little available in terms of technical cinema books in languages like Tamil. We are here to fill that gap, to help filmmakers and film lovers gain the kind of insight into their craft that can truly shape their storytelling.

For anyone looking to learn more about the craft of filmmaking, their collection is a goldmine — ranging from books on cinematography and color grading to screenwriting and film theory. The stall isn't just about teaching you how to film; it's about understanding why certain shots evoke emotions, why lighting and angles matter, and how editing can elevate a scene to something unforgettable. Among the authors whose work is featured at Pesamozhi is author Sai Vijendhiran. He shared insights about his books, like Characters Matter, where he encourages writers to break away from clichés and create up to 60,000 different characters for their stories. He also spoke about his latest release, Anytime Writer" which explores the fundamental question of what kind of writer you can be. "Writing," he says, "is not for the elite few. It is a process, an exploration, open to all.

This book helps you discover what kind of writer you are and pushes you to create." The Chennai Book Fair is a place of nostalgia and surprise: the first edition of Agatha Christie or discovering that long-lost classic you did not know you were searching for. Don't just leave it on the shelf. Grab that gem and let the reading begin!

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