Goa has hosted a wide array of festivals over the years -- from festivals of ideas to celebrations of food, music, dance, art and culture, wellbeing, yoga, and more. The ongoing Festival of Books, however, stands apart from them all, offering something for everyone who walks in. It is not merely a festive event, but a vibrant confluence of readers, writers, publishers, intellectuals, and students. Reflecting its significance, even the Governor of Goa, Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju, was seen browsing the book stalls on the second day.
In an interactive session, Marathi actress Mrunal Kulkarni shared why she turned to writing, “While acting in films, I used to think that I am just living the stories chosen by the filmmaker. I had no role in it. I wanted to tell my story in my film. So I took to storytelling.” Her first film-story ‘Nashibachi Gosht’ won several awards. Her book ‘Makeup Utarawlyawar’ reveals the real human face hidden behind the actor’s makeup. The audience has never seen it. Having seen the film industry from close, this book is all about her experiences about on-screen characters who are also humans once off-screen.
Third generation of publishers
Among the 200 plus book stalls, there are many young publishers who are continuing into the family profession. Adv Amey Sharma is the third generation in publishing the only Marathi magazine on taxation guidelines from Pune which has existed for 77 years. “My late grandfather Adv G D Sharma was the founder of ‘Vyapari Mitra’. My father Purushottam Sharma, a CA, continued publishing it. Now I run it. We have 25000 subscribers, including 200 Goans,” shares the 34-year-old youth.
Youth turning toward spiritual books
Founded by Y G Joshi, Prasad Publication was managed by his son Manohar Joshi. Manohar’s daughter Dr Uma Bodas has taken over now. The publication house aims at introducing ancient Indian culture to the new generation by bringing Sanskrit texts into Marathi. The stall that has mostly religious literature, was answering queries of young readers.
“We have books on Ved, Puranas, Upanishads, Dyneshwari, Geeta, Mahabharat, Ramayan and Indian ancient literature as well as Sanskrit plays. Our children’s section has books priced at Rs 10, which soon got picked up by children and their parents. Prasad publication is coming out with a series of 16 Mahabharat characters, five of which have been released – Bhishm, Dhritarashtra, Kunti, Draupadi and Vidur. The Sanskrit texts based on what Maharshi Vyas wrote, are translated into Marathi and are in great demand,” said Vaibhav Pimpalkhare who dealt with the customers.
Writers’ corner: Goan literates honoured
In a gesture of showing gratitude towards literates, and honouring their contributions, 32 Goan writers were felicitated at the hands of Kiran Thakur, patron of the book festival, NBT chairman Prof Milind Marathe and PWD minister Digambar Kamat. “Readers should not discriminate on languages which is a bridge to connect two cultures. There should be no barrier of language. Honour literature, so that all languages can flourish,” said the minister who has been a book lover since childhood and even ran a friendly library in his school. However he is saddened by the fact that even ultramodern libraries in Goa are witnessing fewer footfalls. “Lesser students are seen in the libraries. Elderly visit only to read newspapers. This sad state should improve,” Kamat urged.
Books motivate, nurture generations
National Book Trust India (NBT) chairman Prof Milind Marathe reminded that even if a book is produced, and has MRP, royalty and editions, it is not a consumable item. “Books are to nurture the generations, to enhance the value system in the society and to touch minds. A line in some poem can be a source of inspiration to a tired mind which gets direction and instant motivation. The reason to hold book festivals is to boost this ecosystem, and the publication industry which is the backbone of society, just like farmers in the food chain. The writer sows the seeds, publisher edits and publishes and the librarian selects and reaches this knowledge to the right person,” stated NBT chairman.
Book fest not for profit-making
Kiran Thakur, in his speech highlighted that the book festival is not a profit making venture. It is to bring together readers, writers, publishers and common people together to build a strong cultural foundation in the society. Breaking the myth that people don’t read, Thakur stated that books worth Rs 12 crore were sold in Nagpur, six lakh people visited and bought books of Rs 25 crore in Delhi and last month in December, 10 lakh Punekars visited and bought books worth Rs 50 crore. All these figures show that good days are here for the publishers. “We should leave aside language wars, and unite to promote the culture of book reading in Goa. NBT is willing to provide an expensive vehicle for the ‘Books on wheels’ project to take books to children in the Goan villages,” said Thakur.
The book festival also has a competition for art, paintings and photos by adolescents in 15-25 age groups and that the artworks of persons with disabilities are also displayed in the exhibition.
