Books fuelled Telangana movement: Revanth

Hyderabad:The 37th Hyderabad Book Fair opened to the public on Thursday at Telangana Kalabharati (NTR Stadium) with Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy inaugurating the event. Addressing visitors, Reddy remarked that the digital generation relies too much on online sources, while history and true accounts remain buried in the pages of books. He highlighted how literature fuelled the Telangana statehood movement and urged a renewed appreciation for authors who shaped the region’s narrative. The inaugural ceremony was attended by ministers, prominent writers, and cultural figures.

Spanning an eclectic range, the fair presents both new and second-hand volumes for the city’s reading community. From a freshly printed Haruki Murakami novel and works by historian Ramachandra Guha to rare collectibles like a 1974-inscribed copy of Tender Is the Night, Satyajit Ray’s sketches, and a 2003 Audrey Hepburn-themed edition of People, visitors are treated to a treasure trove of literary finds.

Women’s literary contributions took centre stage at the Aksharayan stall, which displayed works by over 1,500 female Telugu authors. Founded in 2019 by Inampudi Shreelakshmi with just 40 members, Aksharayan now provides a platform for women’s voices, exploring subjects ranging from child abuse and Bathukamma’s cultural significance to Telugu theatre. “I started writing after retirement and have written four novels since,” said Lalita Verma, a former teacher, underscoring how women continue to carry language and storytelling traditions forward.

Religious and philosophical diversity were evident, with stalls by Minhaj Publications, Dayananda Publications, and Ramakrishna Math offering theological and analytical texts, including works of Swami Vivekananda. Navatelangana Publications presented a broad spectrum of thought — from Romila Thapar’s history texts and Mahasweta Devi’s writings to Marxist and capitalist critiques — unifying disparate ideologies under one roof.

A rare highlight was a dedicated stall celebrating the works of human rights activist K. Balagopal, whose writings in Telugu and English continue to inspire those in search of justice and equality.

“I came here looking for Why Nations Fail and The Art of War,” said Siddharth, an engineering student, who attended with his friend Sharanya. Intrigued by evolving philosophies and socioeconomic ideas, he praised the fair’s role in expanding thought. “I’m trying to read again,” added Sharanya. “Events like this inspire you to browse, pick up new books, and rediscover the joy of reading.”