A City That Reads: Kanpur Book Fair Blends Literature, Culture and Community Spirit

Kanpur: Kanpur’s winter air carried a different kind of warmth this Sunday — the scent of books, melodies of Sufi music, and the hum of eager conversations. At the Rajkiya Inter College in Chunniganj, the ongoing Kanpur Book Fair transformed an ordinary school ground into a buzzing cultural festival, drawing readers, thinkers, artists, and families into a shared celebration of stories.

By the fourth day, the fair had clearly struck the right chord with the city. Free entry and an assured 10 percent discount may have encouraged footfall, but what truly held visitors back was the atmosphere — a sense of discovery. Everywhere one looked, stalls brimmed with new titles, children tugged their parents toward their favourite genres, and readers debated ideas with a passion only a book fair can inspire.

A compelling highlight this year was the overwhelming interest in Dalit and Buddhist literature, a genre long rooted in social awakening. At the Samyak Prakashan stall, books like “Dalit Daman Utpidan Kab Tak” and “Main Bauddh Nagri Mathura Hoon” sparked conversations among young students and seasoned readers alike. Tribal magazines and contemporary writings on identity, equality, and resistance found an appreciative audience.

A few steps away, at the Constitution Prachar Samiti stall, titles such as “Dharm Ka Vigyan Aur Vigyan Ka Dharm” and “Buddh Ki Vani Pal Kairas Ki Zubani” drew curious readers eager to explore the philosophical intersections of science, spirituality, and history. It was evident that Kanpur was not merely browsing; it was asking questions.

Amid the shelves and stories, the fair also became a hub for literary dialogue. A special discussion on journalist Dr. Manish Shukla’s novel “Main Swayamsevak” and film critic *Shridhar Agnihotri’s “Ansune Sitare” packed the audience area. MLA Amitabh Bajpai joined as the chief guest, while the panel — featuring writer Dr. Siddhanshu Rai, senior BJP leader Vinod Shukla, academic Dr. Diwakar Mishra, actor-director Chandrabhushan, and fair organiser Manoj Singh Chandel — unpacked themes ranging from literature and cinema to politics and contemporary storytelling. Supported by Kanpur Yellow Pages, the session ended with heartfelt thanks from Umesh Sharma, founder of Shilpayan Books.

But as the sun mellowed, it was the cultural evening that stole the show. At 2:30 pm, the venue erupted into a rhythmic swirl during “Dama Dam Mast Kalandar – Sufi & Romantic Musical Evening.” Artists from the Shalini School & Cultural Society — Akash Sharma, Vishwanath, Akanksha, and Anushka — delivered a stirring performance that blended soulful Sufi renditions with soothing romantic notes. Their fusion of live music had the audience swaying, clapping, and momentarily losing themselves in the magic of melody.

The book fair is also quietly, but powerfully, becoming a platform for local authors and small publishers who often struggle for visibility. Many first-time writers at the fair said that this space gives them not just sales, but conversations that help shape their creative journeys. Small publishing houses echoed this sentiment, noting that the fair is helping revive grassroots literary voices that deserve a wider audience.

Equally significant is the fair’s impact on Kanpur’s youth. College students arrived in groups, not just for books but for the experience — the discussions, the music, the chance to meet authors whose works they follow. Many volunteers at the fair shared how participating in the event exposed them to genres and ideas they had never engaged with before. The fair, in many ways, has become a learning ground extending beyond classrooms.

As the city looks ahead to Monday’s rich lineup — author interactions, literary panels, the Kanpur Mahila Sahityik Manch, Vision Kanpur 2047, and the All India Kavi Sammelan — the excitement continues to build. What stands out most this year is the growing confidence with which Kanpur is positioning itself as a cultural hub. This book fair is no longer just an event on the city’s calendar; it has become a movement, one that is quietly stitching together a community of readers who believe in the power of stories.