Patna Book Fair Set to Celebrate Literature and Arts from December 4-15

Patna, November 2 (Daily Kiran) : The Patna Book Fair, a cherished tradition in Bihar’s capital, is returning for its 42nd edition from December 4 to 15 at Gandhi Maidan. Organized by the Center for Reader Development (CRD), this year’s fair will showcase over 350 new events. The theme, “Joy of Reading, Beyond Books,” aims to promote a love for literature, culture, art, cinema, and education. This edition is dedicated to Satyanarayan, the creator of the famous Bihar song and a celebrated folk poet.

Ratneshwar, president of the CRD Patna Book Fair and a noted writer, shared details about the event on Monday. He emphasized that the fair is among the top three book fairs in India, serving not just as a marketplace but as a vibrant celebration of literary, cultural, and educational pursuits. The fair aims to foster reading interest among the public while delivering new messages through its theme. Special programs for youth are also planned, including a session called “Chitthiyan,” where Dr. Vimalendu will read notable letters.

Young participants will have the opportunity to read letters that have influenced their lives. In the “Youth Podium,” coordinated by Dr. Varun, discussions on various topics such as politics, art, literature, and culture will engage young minds. Additionally, the “Shabdankur” program, led by Utkarsh Anand, will allow young writers to present their poetry, stories, and satirical works, with selected creators receiving the Shabdankur Award based on audience feedback and judges’ evaluations. The “Hunar” program will host competitions for school and college students, with around 5,000 children from over 70 schools expected to participate.

This year, a special cinema hall will be dedicated to the “Cinema-Unema” film festival, featuring daily screenings of feature films, short films, and documentaries, organized by Kumar Ravikant. Audience interactions with film experts and artists will also take place, and key figures in cinema will be honored. For art enthusiasts, Mukesh Kumar will curate a grand art gallery showcasing works from young, folk, and senior artists, including Padma awardees from Bihar.

Daily discussions and seminars on art will enrich the experience. The “Swad Vihar” section will offer traditional dishes from Bihar alongside select cuisines from across the country. A special food lounge will allow book lovers to enjoy reading with tea. The event will also include programs like “Kavyakatha,” “School Utsav,” “Jan Samvad,” “Coaching Master,” “Gyan-Rojgar,” “Nukkad Ke Rang,” and “Swasthya-Samvad.”

Prominent writers, journalists, poets, storytellers, educators, and experts will participate in various events, including a poetry conference featuring poets like Chandan Dwivedi and Rajat. This year’s fair will host 200 stalls from major publishers such as Prabhat Prakashan, Rajkamal Prakashan, Vani Prakashan, and many others.