Pages Come Alive: Lucknow Book Fair Opens at Ravindralaya with Literature, Culture and Conversations

Lucknow: The aroma of fresh books, the buzz of literary conversations and the promise of cultural evenings filled the air as the Lucknow Book Fair opened at the sprawling lawns of Ravindralaya Charbagh}. The ten-day celebration of books and ideas will continue until March 22, welcoming readers daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. with free entry and a minimum 10 percent discount on books.

Inaugurating the fair, Uttar Pradesh Higher Education Minister Yogendra Upadhyay described books as “our friends, guides and teachers,” urging students from colleges and universities to visit the fair and cultivate the habit of reading. Reflecting on India’s intellectual traditions, he noted that understanding one’s own culture and knowledge systems is essential in today’s rapidly changing world.

Spread across nearly 60 stalls, the fair brings together a rich collection of literature, academic works, children’s books and modern publications printed with the latest technology. Prominent institutions such as the National Book Trust are participating alongside leading publishers including Hind Yugm, Shubhi Publications (Gurugram), Upkar Prakashan, Nikhil Publishers and Distributors (Agra), Bharatiya Kala Prakashan and several others.

A special attraction is the stall by Dinkar Pustakalaya, Bhagalpur, where bestselling titles from major publishing houses such as Penguin, Harper, Westland, Rajkamal, Vani and Rajpal are available for readers.

Beyond book sales, the fair promises to be a vibrant cultural and literary hub. Visitors can attend book launches, literary discussions, poetry readings, kavi sammelans and mushairas, while also interacting directly with authors and poets. A dedicated stall has been set up to showcase works by local writers, giving Lucknow’s literary voices a platform.

Patron Murlidhar Ahuja emphasized that every household should nurture a small library, while T.P. Haveliya highlighted how books shape society by opening pathways to knowledge and development. Fair convenor Manoj Singh Chandel expressed gratitude to participants and announced that, following a suggestion by the minister, a similar book fair is planned in Agra next year.

Organized with the support of cultural and civic partners including Force One Books, UPMRC, Big FM, Royal Café and several social organizations, the fair blends literature with local flavour. Visitors can also savour a festival of Awadhi cuisine, making the event as much about taste as it is about thought.

Adding an artistic dimension, young artists will create a 15-foot canvas painting to commemorate 150 years of the iconic patriotic song Vande Mataram. Schools and colleges across the city have been invited to participate in competitions and cultural activities designed to inspire a new generation of readers.

With books, ideas, art and conversation sharing the same space, the Lucknow Book Fair is shaping up to be a lively meeting point for readers, writers and dreamers alike.