The fair presents literary treasures, including unique translations like 'Rich Dad, Poor Dad' in Urdu, the translated Talmud, books on English grammar, along with aesthetically adorned tote bags and posters featuring timeless ghazals of celebrated poets.
Team Clarion
MUMBAI – The ongoing 26th National Urdu Book Fair at the Bandra Kurla Complex here showcases a rich literary tapestry with an impressive collection of about 300,000 books spread across 185 stalls.
Encompassing poetry, literature, philosophy, cookery, and religious texts, the event, that began on January 6, aims to pay homage to the vibrant cultural heritage of the Urdu language and literature.
The fair, which concludes on January 14, presents literary treasures, including unique translations like ‘Rich Dad, Poor Dad’ in Urdu, the translated Talmud, books on English grammar, along with aesthetically adorned tote bags and posters featuring timeless ghazals of celebrated poets. However, the anticipated excitement has been dampened by a subdued response, primarily attributed to the challenging accessibility of the venue, situated away from convenient transportation options.
Despite the enthusiasm of stall owners and the enticing array of books, footfall has been limited due to the fair’s remote location. Abrar Ahmad, a stall owner, lamented, “The venue is quite far away from the station, and rickshaws are dropping people far from the spot sometimes. If the fair was held in a place closer to a station or near Byculla or Mumbra, it would have been jam-packed.”
Parents like Nuruddin Athar and Abdurrahman, attending the fair with their children, praised the diverse selection but acknowledged the logistical challenge. Despite this hurdle, enthusiasts explored the offerings, with Nuruddin humorously noting that his daughter hadn’t allowed him to look at any books yet.
Stall owners unanimously agreed that improved advertising and a more accessible location would have significantly enhanced the fair’s appeal. Abdulqadeer, an Urdu writer, editor, and publisher, emphasised that Mumbai boasts a substantial Urdu-reading population, but the fair’s location has deterred potential attendees.
Organised by the National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language (NCPUL) and Anjuman-I-Islam, the fair features a lineup of events, including Bollywood-themed tributes, ghazal recitations, a play honouring celebrated poet Sahir Ludhianvi, a science exhibition, and mushairas (poetic evenings). Despite prevailing challenges, stall owners express hope for increased footfall in the remaining days of the fair.
Dr. Zaheer Kazi, president of Anjuman-I-Islam, acknowledged the accessibility issue and shared plans to meet with Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) officials to request special bus services at Bandra East and Kurla West stations. Despite the initial hurdles, the fair drew over 20,000 visitors on the first day, signaling potential growth if logistical concerns are addressed effectively.
