In India, despite its rich cultural history, there is no strong tradition of book buying and reading. Writer and journalist Parsa Venkateshwar Rao Jr. calls this a social phenomenon worthy of study, wondering if the reason is the strength of the oral tradition, which has for centuries been the primary means of transmitting stories and epics, making oral tales more present than the written text. He expresses bewilderment at the limited number of Indians who buy and read books, despite a wide base of literate people. In daily life, this observation becomes even more apparent: many middle-class homes lack real libraries, and people reading in airports or train stations are a rare sight. However, the essence of this vibrant presence lies not just in books. Literary festivals in India transform into comprehensive cultural celebrations, featuring music, dance, comedy shows, craft fairs, food, and fashion shows, making them more akin to open carnivals than traditional literary events. The executive director of publishing house 'Full Circle' and owner of the 'Coffee Turtle' bookstore in Delhi, Priyanka Malhotra, says: 'In India, buying books is still considered a luxury for many in the middle and lower-middle classes.' She adds that authors in these environments have a tangible influence, as their opinions on social and political issues in their states carry significant weight and special importance for the public. A prominent example is writer Bano Mistaq, who specializes in defending women's rights and has dedicated a large part of her career to documenting the lives of Muslim women through writing in Kannada, the predominant language in the southern state of Karnataka. However, the high status of the English language in India, both culturally and globally, means that any book remains limited in circulation within its state or original language unless it is translated into English. Translation then becomes a gateway to a wider space and is often seen as a means of accessing the reading elite within and outside India. In this context, writer and journalist Parsa Venkateshwar Rao Jr. points to the lack of precise statistics on book sales in local languages, describing this field as shrouded in mystery. Despite the clear exhaustion he seemed to be feeling, he appeared happy and enthusiastic about interacting with fans and taking photos with them. Morrison said that regional literature allows readers to dive into different worlds that are often closed to people who do not belong to that region or state. He added: 'Sometimes you feel that something great is being prepared, but you cannot identify what it is, and you will only realize it when it is translated into English.' He also noted that the sheer number of literary festivals today is a sign of what he calls 'the democratization of literature,' where these events are now held in places that people would have mocked about a decade ago. Regardless of the reasons why people uninterested in reading attend these festivals, Morrison sees nothing negative in it at all. Nevertheless, Aria remains optimistic and enjoys the atmosphere of the colorful and literary-rich festival. The local literary scene. Writer Bano Mistaq has become a prominent name in her state. For most Indians, English is used as a practical tool for communication, work, and education, but it is not the language in which their deep thoughts take shape or their daily feelings of love, hatred, dreams, and aspirations are expressed, as these life aspects are rooted in the languages they grew up in and the cultural environments in which they were raised. Nevertheless, precise data regarding the sales volume of books in local languages remains sparse and fragmented, making it difficult to form a clear statistical picture of this vital sector. Some observers believe that the reading rates in local languages, such as Hindi, Gujarati, Tamil, Bengali, as well as other recognized 24 Indian languages, may in fact be higher than their English counterparts. She has become a prominent and shining name in her state, receiving wide recognition that translated into her winning numerous awards for her literary contributions and her role in highlighting women's and social issues. Even if these attendees are not regular readers, they are at least surrounded by culture and books, instead of being engrossed in digital screens all the time. In the festival atmosphere, with the sounds of shehnai echoing across the lawns, a local rap group competes with the philosophical sitar playing of 22-year-old Aria Mohan, an English literature student at Banaras Hindu University in India. Aria stands out for her passion for reading: she reads works by the British-American writer Christopher Hitchens, as well as Fyodor Dostoevsky's 'Crime and Punishment,' which makes her stand out among many attendees who seem lost or without a clear purpose. For many families, the weekly outing may be limited to a trip to the mall and a quick meal, whereas the literary festival, with its celebratory atmosphere and the presence of luminaries from film and sports, represents a welcome change, especially since entry is often free. On the other hand, Chiki Sarkar of Jagranaut Books believes that India has not yet reached the stage of a reading society on a wide scale, and that festivals give attendees an opportunity to present themselves as culturally prominent figures more than they create genuine interaction with books. Former diplomat and author Pavan Varma goes further, believing that the level of literary taste has declined, pointing in an article in the 'Hindustan Times' that many readers prefer short, quick texts that can be 'consumed' during a short trip, instead of deep literary works with lasting value. Thus, literary festivals in India are thriving in terms of attendance and vitality, but at the same time they reflect a persistent cultural challenge: how to turn this festive momentum into a firm and sustainable reading habit. Source: 'The Guardian'.
