1997 kolkata book fair fire

Kolkata book fair is perhaps the most eagerly awaited nonreligious festival that receives the highest footfall among all book fairs in asia. Calcuttas legendary book fair under threat books the. Kolkata the 38th kolkata book fair may have lost the kolkata literary meet, which has spun off into a standalone event, but it has filled the void by adding the threeday kolkata language and literary festival, which is set to be inaugurated by shashi tharoor, the minister of state for human resource development. He was elected secretary of the guild for three successive terms, between 19961998, and during his tenure, the noted french philosopher jacques derrida inaugurated the. On february 3, 1997, a stall at the 33rd kolkata book fair at maidan caught fire and burned down onethird of the entire complex. A prominent member of the guild, asoke ghosh, got the kolkata book fair its international accreditation.

Kolkata book fair can be a base where lots of very important products will likely be displayed. Love for books and the kolkata bookfair guest post. To top that, the recent incidences of fire in the city have put the state on high alert. Museum, corporate, institution and private collection across the globe. Bitter memories of 1997 flashed in the minds of book lovers and publishers when a fire broke out at the book fair on saturday morning. The maidan literally, open field, also referred to as the brigade parade ground, is the largest urban park in kolkata in the indian state of west bengal. Held on the milan mela ground near science city on e. The kolkata police facebook page had been popular already, says sarkar, and, initially, the page updated regular crime stories in a readerfriendly format. A book fair a book fair is a place where books of various kinds are brought for sale and display. It is usually held in the winter season on an open place in most of the major cities of the country. In 1997, six days into the fair, a massive fire broke out at the venue, reducing 1, 00,000 books to ashes.

Kolkata book fair 2018, or as us bongs lovingly call it, boi mela is starting tomorrow and we cant keep calm. The book fair at kolkata essay english school students. Kolkata book fair caught fire on february 3, 19 years ago. The international kolkata book fair formerly known in english as calcutta book fair is the largest and oldest book fair in india, as well as one of the most important events of its kind in asia. Proper steps and precautions should be taken so that incidents such as this are not repeated in the future years. The maidan is dotted with statues and architectural. A large fire in 1997 destroyed over one third of the fair, burnt over 100,000 books and caused the death of a visitor jiten seal, who suffered a heart.

Problems and solutions the 1994 calcutta book fair showing the vast crowds, and the kolkata skyline in the backgroundthe biggest problem the book fair faces are the huge crowds which visit the fair crowd and litter control are a major issue at the fair. The baul movement was at its peak in the 19th and early 20th centuries, but even today one comes across the occasional baul with his ektara onestringed musical instrument and begging bowl, singing across the farflung villages of rural bengal. Dont close the markets, dont tamper with the contents. Why no bookbuying expedition can still match a visit to. Calcuttas legendary book fair under threat books the guardian. A big fire was reported at firpos market on april 23,2002 and another at mackinnon mcengie building on november 7,1998. Kolkata book fair, calcutta book fair, book fair in. The success of the calcutta book fair has resulted in many book fairs in smaller cities in west bengal like siliguri, and was inspired, in turn, by the first world book fair at new delhi in 1972. Kolkata book fair news and updates from the economic times. A big fire was reported at firpos market on april 23, 2002 and another at mackinnon mcengie building on november 7, 1998. The book, and its translation, murder in the city speaking tiger, rs 299 was launched at the kolkata book fair this year. International kolkata book fair the worlds biggest. Everything about kolkata book fair 2020 rider escaped. The culture of kolkata has the portrayal of east india culture.

There were no reports of injuries or damage and yet, this incident reminded all the book lovers in kolkata of the gruesome fire that burned and ravaged thousands of books in the book fair of 1997. The man who has been identified as a building promoter was shot at point blank range. The outbreak of fire on february 3, 1997 demolished 33rd kolkata book fair and lead to huge losses. The fair of that year was inaugurated by jacques derrida, internationally famed for his deconstruction theory. Throngs of people are seen visiting the book fair every year in kolkata.

The fair, which runs for 12 days each winter, claims to be the largest non. Initiated in 1976, it is extremely popular with the locals. The fire broke out on the sixth day when the footfall had reached a crescendo. Kolkata book fair is worlds largest nontrade book fair, asias largest book fair and the most attended book fair held annually during winter season. In fact, a book fair is considered to be an occasion of great festivity to the book lovers. Nude and drawing, royal college of arts, london 1990. With a total attendance over 2 million people every year, it is one of the worlds largest book fairs. The fire in the 33rd kolkata book fair in 1997 was another tragedy kolkatans want to forget. While all this while, she was vocal about her stand in the state and delhi, now she has written a book on note ban, which was released at the inauguration of the international kolkata book fair, 2017. During the 1980s and early 1990s, calcutta played host to two annual book fairs, one by the calcutta publishers and booksellers guild, and one by the government of west bengal the grontho mela grontho is archaic bengali word for book. The popularity of the calcutta book fair was seminal in india being nominated the guest of honour at the frankfurt book fair in 2006, according to the. Kolkata literature festival to host french, scottish writers in book fair published. However, in spite of the book fair being the pride.

The fair also has a typical fairground experience with a book flavour with the presence of picnickers, singersongwriters, and candy floss vendors on the fair premises. Edinburghbased practice, graeme massie architects, are delighted to have been confirmed as first prize winners in the open competition, organised by the lighthouse on behalf of the british council, for the design of a pavilion to represent scotland at the kolkata book fair 2009. Kolkata book fair cancels taslima nasrin book launch. The international kolkata book fair and officially antarjatik kolkata boimela or antarjatik. Dutta, who is a chemical engineer by profession in dallas, is a regular at the kolkata book fair this year.

Jan 28, 2015 the 39th international kolkata book fair was inaugurated here on tuesday by british journalist and tv news presenter anita anand and chief minister mamata banerjee. Paperbacks still a hit, say organisers books worth around rs 10 crore have so far been sold at the 42nd edition of international kolkata book fair, a developme. Started in 1976 with more than 50 stalls and 30 publishers, the kolkata book fair has come a long way. Some of the greatest men of letters have walked its hallowed. The number of gates have been increased to nine from seven, and each is being used for both entry and exit as per instructions of none less than chief minister mamata banerjee herself. These festivals unfold the mixed culture of kolkata cosmopolitan. There is a general consensus among the people of kolkata that the city should be termed as the literary capital of the world. Seldom has a place been so full of literary heritage, as has been the case with kolkata. A mobile app is available for visitors to locate their favourites among the 600 stalls. Kolkata book fair pavilion competition, architect e.

The kolkata book fair started its journey in the year 1976, with only 56 stalls and 34 publishers, now it boasts of being the largest one in asia. Kolkata book fair blogs, comments and archive news on. He doesnt have a release this year but is still happy to be back. The fire broke out on january 12, 2008 and continued for four days. The kolkata police facebook page had been popular already, says sarkar, and, initially, the page updated regular crime stories in. The 34th international kolkata book fair 2010 was held from 27 january to 7 february 2010. The annual fair, which will be held from january 29 to february 9, will host about 600 books stalls and 200 little magazine kiosks. Natures beauty and minds perception thoughts on the spot. The klf will piggyback on the international kolkata book fair, to be held from 25 january5 februarylast year, 2. In 2004, the fair was banned from its location in the heart of kolkata. The chief guest of honour of 2010 kolkata book fair was buddhadeb bhattacharjee, honourable chief minister, west bengal. Sure, the frankfurt book fair displays more books, and arguably wheels.

It will be held at the central park in salt lake with 29 participant countries. The fair will also commemorate three leading bengali authors sunil gangopadhayay, syed mustafa siraz and humayun ahmed who passed away recently. After the fair was reconstructed, noted poet annadashankar ray joked that since we dont believe in the deconstruction theory, we have been able to re construct the fair. After the fire in 1997, it put itself back together in three, and ran for a total of 20 days. Restrict fire to the place of its origin homas are an important religious practice in hinduism where they are part of sanskar ceremonies. The fire broke out on january 12,2008 and continued for four days. International kolkata book fair 2017 dates, timings and. Some college students bring along musical instruments and sit in groups singing songs in the open air. A digital travelling pavilion is coming to the 42nd edition of international kolkata book fair, which will begin on january 31. The ambience, the attendees, the aroma, the aura once you visit the fair, youre sure to fall in love with it. Kolkata literature festival to host french, scottish writers. A beautiful creation that, like the city itself, will fade, while the books will endure. Kolkata book fair, indian kolkata book fair, famous kolkata.

Many dignitaries, educationists, book lovers and students. The 44th international kolkata book fair inaugurated on january 28th january 2020. The calls you to kolkata, west bengal for kolkata book fair 2018. The international kolkata book fair has been welcoming hundreds of thousands of people to the indian city of calcutta. Kolkata book fair welcomes international literature lovers. A massive pavilion at the 42nd international kolkata book fair set up by france, the theme country in this years editio. I still remember buying that book cheaper from one of the illfated bookstalls in the 1997 kolkata book fair. The court had issued an order in the previous year against the.

There are no entry charges for visiting kolkata book fair, another good thing about the fair. Following the insatiable fire that ravaged the book fair in 1997, there was yet another setback. More than 100,000 books were charred in the fire and one person named jiten seal died from a heart attack during the stampede. Stephen court toll highest ever in kolkata cities news.

The example of the frankfurt book fair a commercial trade fair of books came up. But the flames were doused within minutes, before it could spread to any book. It was from this time onwards that the dates of the kolkata book fair started being mentioned in the calendar of the ipa each year. The international kolkata book fair will be organised at milan mela, kolkata. It is a vast stretch of field that includes numerous play grounds, including the famous cricketing venue eden gardens, several football stadiums, and the kolkata race course. A 40yearold man has been murdered in an upmarket area of kolkata, near a bustling shopping mall. In 1997, six days into the fair, a massive fire broke out at the venue, reducing 1,00,000 books to ashes. Books may be centrestage at the kolkata book fair, but the dust is more than background noise. Gunter grass, an outspoken critic of kolkata, said that the book fair is a metaphor of life. History of kolkata book fair that starts tomorrow get bengal.

Fire at book fair, hindu hostel kolkata news times of. Stephen court fire toll at 33 highestever in kolkata. It is a unique book fair in the sense of not being a trade fairtrade fair. Kolkata book fair recent updates amar ujala results. May 07, 2004 hatched in 1976 in the intelligentsias drinking hole, the college street coffee house, the book fair is indias largest but, unlike frankfurt or london, is designed not for trade deals but for. Avid readers of all ages eagerly wait for the kolkata book fair 2018 all year long where they can shop till they drop and go home with bundles of books. The kolkata book fair is one of indias oldest and the largest book fairs. On friday, sebi came out with circular restricting short positions. The kolkata book fair has not been without its share of mishaps and controversies. Bypass, this fair has over 600 stalls, selling over rs. This year the fair was totally demolished by a violent outburst of fire on the 6th. Kolkata book fair kolkata, india kolkata kolkata book fair. The 42nd kolkata international book fair is a mustvisit for. Kolkata book fair, indian kolkata book fair, famous.

The cultural fairs and festivals like the kolkata book fair, dover lane music festival, kolkata film festival and national theatre festival, fetch a group of populace belonging to different sects. Calcutta book fair in english, and officially antarjatik kolkata boimela or antarjatik kolkata pustakmela. Fall book fairs attract readers and authors festivals also give boost to literacy, libraries. The book fair needed more space every year to accommodate the ever growing numbers of publishers. Some residents see the absence of the book fair in kolkata s centre as a significant blow to. Dallas based author shares her kolkata book fair memories. The kolkata international book fair or kolkata boi mela is the worlds largest nontrade annual book fair as well as the largest book fair in asia. Stephen court toll highest ever in kolkata indian express.

Participants include 200 small magazines and over 580 stalls. But the flames were doused within minutes, before it. Flavours of costa rica in kolkata as 41st book fair opens. And memory raced back to the days of reading surely youre joking, mr. The last time bangladesh was the theme country of the kolkata book fair was in 1997 and prime minister sheikh hasina, who was also then in power, had inaugurated the fair. It was sold cheap the day after the fire because of a little black spot in one corner of the back cover. The success of the kolkata book fair has resulted in many book fairs in smaller cities in west bengal like siliguri, and was inspired, in turn, by the first world book fair at new delhi in 1972 the popularity of the kolkata book fair was seminal in india being nominated the guest of honour at the frankfurt book fair in 2006, according to the frankfurt book fair organizers. West bengal is considered to be the seat of wisdom and culture. A massive fire in 1997 burned over 100,000 books and caused one. Kolkata book fair 2018 is all set to bring out the geek in. Fire at book fair, hindu hostel fire at book fair, hindu hostel kolkata. Booked for kolkata kolkata book fair is swinging along, as it has been for 28 years. Ive reached the city in time for the 33rd annual kolkata book fair, the. Kolkata book fair latest breaking news, pictures, videos, and special reports from the economic times.

The 1997 fire still looms large on the minds of the both fair organisers. Travelling in local trains and attending village fairs are good ways to encounter bauls. To the quintessential bibliophile, the book fair in kolkata the. The annual kolkata book fair ended on sunday with the ringing of the ceremonial bell at the milan mela ground here. Unlike the frankfurt book fair on which it was modeled, however, the ikbf is open to the public. West bengal chief minister mamata banerjee will inaugurate this fair. The book fair has been celebrated in theatre, literature, songs and limericks in calcutta. In this festive time, another attraction is the 7th kolkata literature festival, which is a glory of the book fair. He is a member of the publisher and booksellers guild, the organisers of the kolkata book fair, which is asias largest book fair and the most attended book fair in the world. Many of these are typically about publishing, books, authors, literature, reading, literacy and bookstore. Proceeds from book sales at the kolkata book fair, which concluded on monday. The 42nd edition of the annual extravaganza promises to set the bar higher and france is this years focal theme. The book fair is organized by publishers under the name of book sellers and publishers guild.