Lucknow Turns a Page: Inside the 22nd National Book Fair

The rains had barely subsided when the gates of Balrampur Garden opened to eager visitors, tote bags slung over shoulders, lists in hand, and eyes darting between stalls. For 11 days, Ashok Marg transformed into a literary boulevard as the 22nd National Book Fair brought together publishers, poets, performers, and readers of all ages. By the time the curtains fell on Sunday evening, the fair had clocked record sales of over ₹1.25 crore, reaffirming that despite digital temptations, books still hold an unmatched charm.

The Fair in Full Bloom

Convenor Manoj Singh Chandel beamed as he surveyed the final day’s crowds. “This has been one of the most vibrant editions yet,” he said, crediting the mix of new titles, cultural programming, and the nostalgic pull of legacy publishers. “It proves the culture of reading remains alive in Lucknow.”

Major houses—Rajpal & Sons, Rajkamal, Lokbharti, Vani, Samayik, Prabhat, Bharatiya Jnanpith—lined the grounds with colorful displays. Each stall had its own gravity: polished new releases at Vani, the gravitas of Rajkamal’s classics, the earthy appeal of Lokbharti’s Hindi bestsellers. Buyers scooped up everything from contemporary poetry and Dalit women’s writing to children’s books, exam guides, and discounted hardbacks.

“I came for one or two books, but I’m leaving with a whole bag,” laughed Ritika Mishra, a postgraduate student clutching novels, poetry, and a translation of Premchand. Families browsed picture books while elderly readers hunted for out-of-print titles.

Remembering the Torchbearers

Amid the bustle, the fair paused for reflection. Tributes were paid to recently departed figures—former Chief Secretary Shambhu Nath, satirist Dr. Gopal Chaturvedi, and Swatantra Bharat editor Anoop Srivastava.

The most emotional moment came during the homage to veteran journalist Dr. K. Vikram Rao, remembered for fearless reporting and his defense of press freedom. “In an age when the press is under pressure, his legacy is a guiding light,” said one senior editor, as the audience responded with solemn applause.

Literature Comes Alive

If books formed the heart of the fair, the stage was its soul. Each evening, the lawns turned into a hub of recitals, discussions, and performances. Vani Prakashan’s session on Chandra Shekhar Verma’s ghazal collection Ghat Rahi Hai Roz Meri Chehragi drew poetry lovers in droves. Senior writer Uday Pratap Singh praised Verma’s work as “sensitive, deeply observant, and rooted in human emotion.” RJ Prateek, hosting with ease, coaxed Verma into reciting verses that drew sighs and applause.

Adding to the cultural tapestry was dancer Sneha Rastogi, whose Bharatanatyam blended classical rigor with folk vibrancy. As dusk fell, her movements under the stage lights seemed to mirror the fair’s ethos—an embrace of both tradition and reinvention.

Another highlight was the spirited poetry symposium by Apurva Sanstha, where emerging voices shared the stage with seasoned poets. The evening ended with Kamal Kishore Bhavuk receiving the Rajesh Vidrohi Samman, underscoring the fair’s role in nurturing diverse strands of literature.

A Feast for Every Reader

What stood out this year was the fair’s democratic range of offerings. Children darted between coloring books and fantasy tales, professionals browsed management titles, retired bureaucrats gravitated toward memoirs, and young activists picked up feminist and Dalit writing.

For many, the attraction lay beyond the books. “When you pick up a book here, you’re also connecting with the publisher, the editor, the community that keeps literature alive,” said Arun Tiwari, a college lecturer who has attended the fair for two decades.

In a city where tea stalls still host heated debates on poetry, and where literary heritage runs from Wajid Ali Shah’s court to Amritlal Nagar’s novels, the fair felt less like an event and more like a reaffirmation of identity. It was a reminder that Lucknow continues to be a city where words matter, and where literature is as much about community as it is about individual reading.

Turning the Next Page

As the final announcements echoed and the last purchases were bagged, talk turned to the 23rd edition. “Next year will be bigger, more interactive, and more inclusive,” promised convenor Manoj Singh Chandel.

For visitors, the experience was about more than shopping—it was about being part of a community that refuses to let the written word fade into nostalgia. As one young reader wrote in the feedback book: “I came looking for stories, but I found a whole world here.”

The 22nd National Book Fair may have ended, but its imprint lingers—between the pages of new purchases, in memories of performances under the open sky, and in the quiet resolve of a city that still believes in the power of words.