Books, Language and Flavours: Lucknow Book Fair’s Fifth Day Celebrates Learning and Culture

Lucknow: The vibrant atmosphere of the ongoing Lucknow Book Fair at Ravindralaya Charbagh continued to draw book lovers, students and literary enthusiasts on its fifth day. From competitive exam aspirants searching for the right study material to poets celebrating regional literature, the fair turned into a lively hub of knowledge, culture and conversation.

A Haven for Competitive Exam Aspirants

In an era where competitive examinations shape academic and career journeys, the book fair has become a key destination for students preparing for various tests. Groups of college students were seen browsing through stacks of books covering logical reasoning, world history, quantitative aptitude and general knowledge.

The stall of Upkar Prakashan attracted a steady crowd with its extensive collection of preparation guides for exams such as NET, JRF, SET, police recruitment, banking exams, Lekhpal recruitment and polytechnic entrance tests. Books for school-level entrance examinations like Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, VidyaGyan School and Sainik School were also available, along with practice worksheets to help students sharpen their skills.

Other publishers including Bhartiya Kala Prakashan and National Book Trust showcased authoritative titles on Indian culture, history and literature, drawing readers interested in deeper intellectual exploration.

Awadhi Language Finds a Growing Voice

The literary stage at the fair opened with an engaging discussion organised by the Awadhi Sahitya Sansthan from Amethi. Scholars and writers discussed the growing importance of preserving and promoting regional languages.

Awadhi scholar Dr. Rambhadur Mishra shared that efforts are being made to strengthen the language through formal education. He noted that Awadhi language classes have begun at Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti Language University, while the programme has entered its second year at Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Avadh University.

Highlighting the cultural richness of the region, Additional Director of Secondary Education Vivek Nautiyal emphasised the importance of preserving Awadhi traditions. Poet Meenu Khare presented a series of Awadhi haiku, followed by poetry recitations from nearly thirty poets.

Books that Inspire Thought

The fair also witnessed the release of Vyakti Nirman Se Rashtra Nirman, written by Arvind Pandey. The discussion on the book featured reflections by former Member of Parliament Praveen Nishad, along with literary voices including Meena Chaube and Dr. Pooja Thakur Sikera.

Author Saurabh also shared insights into his book Khatte Meethe Anubhav, describing the experiences and reflections that inspired the work.

A Taste of Awadh

Beyond books and literature, visitors also enjoyed a glimpse of the region’s culinary heritage at the Awadhi food festival held within the fair premises. Traditional delicacies such as dal ke phare, aloo-kachalu and dhaniya ke aloo delighted visitors. Culinary experts Neelam and Jyoti Kiran Ratan demonstrated the preparation techniques behind these authentic dishes, adding a flavourful dimension to the event.

Poetry and Music to End the Day

The evening featured a poetry gathering organised by the Hindi Sahitya Academy, coordinated by Shikha Srivastava and Vandana Srivastava, with Shailesh Mahi conducting the session. Poets including Anita Mishra, Dr. Seema, Kavita Mishra, Ratnesh Raj, Divyansh Divyam, Satyadev Singh, Sachin Dixit, Shubham Shukla, Ajay Verma Saathi, Sunil Mehrotra, Ravindra Srivastava, Vanya and Rashmi Sharad recited their works.

The day concluded with a musical poetry programme organised by Bhushundi Sansthan, leaving the audience immersed in a harmonious blend of literature and music.

As the fair progresses, the Lucknow Book Fair continues to reaffirm its place not just as a marketplace for books, but as a vibrant cultural festival celebrating knowledge, language, art and tradition.