Full disclosure: back in the 2000s when I was finalising my decision to depart the UK’s cold, windy and expensive shores for warmer climes, it was going to be either The Gambia, India or Brazil, with Kolkata or Sao Paulo the destination cities (The Gambia doesn’t have cities to speak of).
TNPS regulars will know how enchanted I am by India’s vibrant book fairs and festivals, and none more so than Kolkata.
Full disclosure: back in the 2000s when I was finalising my decision to depart the UK’s cold, windy and expensive shores for warmer climes, it was going to be either The Gambia, India or Brazil, with Kolkata or Sao Paulo the destination cities (The Gambia doesn’t have cities to speak of).
The Gambia won the toss, but teaching in the slums of Kolkata is an experience everyone should try once, to fully appreciate how lucky we in the west are, and left me with an enduring affection for Kolkata and its children.
So when I saw a potted history of the Kolkata International Book Fair doing the rounds in the Indian media, I had to share.
Kolkata’s Boi Mela: India’s Oldest Book Fair
Celebrated as India’s oldest book fair ,the KIBF it is not just a marketplace for books, but a reflection of Bengali culture, deeply rooted in the city’s legacy of reading, intellectual exchange, and knowledge-sharing.
The Origins of Book Fairs in Colonial India
India’s history with book fairs dates back to 1918, when the first-ever book exhibition was held at College Street, Calcutta (now Kolkata). Organised by the National Council of Education (NCE) as part of its mission to promote the Swadeshi Movement, this historic event aimed to showcase India’s capacity to function independently from colonial authority.
Role of NCE: Founded in 1906 in response to the British decision to divide Bengal, the NCE organised the book fair to promote modern education.
The Influence of the Frankfurt Book Fair
Fast forward to the 1970s, a new chapter in Kolkata’s book fair history began. Inspired by the Frankfurt Book Fair, a group of literature enthusiasts and publishers decided to bring a similar event to Kolkata. Discussions took place at the Coffee House on College Street, Kolkata’s hub of intellectual thought.
First Modern Fair: The first modern Kolkata Book Fair was organised in 1975, with 34 publishers setting up 56 stalls near the Victoria Memorial. The event drew thousands of book lovers, marking the beginning of an annual tradition.
Growth and International Recognition
As the fair grew in popularity, a larger venue became necessary. In 1983, the fair moved to the Maidan grounds in central Kolkata. This year also marked the first international accreditation for the Kolkata Book Fair, thanks to a visit from Peter Withers, the director of the Frankfurt Book Fair.
The View From The Beach
Sadly, the Buchmesse’s connections with Kolkata seem to have faded, and the Frankfurt Book Fair journal Publishing Perspectives nowadays has little time for mere “public facing” book fairs.
Luckily, TNPS is here is to keep the South Asia publishing flags flying.
This post first appeared in the TNPS LinkedIn newsfeed.
