The magical and mystical world of Harry Potter came knocking on fantasy-loving doors 21 years ago. And years later, the charm and mystery that came with Potternama is very much alive. It’s been over 21 years since the first book in the series released, and even today, they are a huge part of the must-read lists for every child, and many adults too. To celebrate the birthday of its author JK Rowling and its main wizard Harry Potter, a number of events have been dedicated across the world.
From movie screenings, library events, book discussions, Harry Potter-based food like butter beer, and quidditch pong is available at a city restaurant, and Bengaluru Potter fans are celebrating the day with spellbinding belief as Potter has helped them through many a battle in life!
From tales of where Rowling wrote her books at Edinburgh cafes, the United Kingdom, the home country of author JK Rowling is also joining in the fun — fans can visit Platform 9-3/4 to see a Harry Potter plays live etc. Potterheads in the city revel in the character and the series and how important a part it has played in their life.
It was this avid reader’s first book that led to topics of conversation with friends, Harry Potter played a very important part in Meghana Mukesh’s childhood, “It’s really great that places in the city are doing something special to commemorate this day. As a kid, it was the first book. Reading the book helped me build my vocabulary. When the movies were released, my friends and I had a number of debates as to which is better — the book or the movie? Discussing the things we read became an everyday affair.”
Another Bengalurean feels that Harry Potter helped her get through some difficult times. Teenasai Balamu says, “For me, the word Harry Potter means more than just a character. It includes everything else that came with him. It helped me get through depression. Earlier, I used to while away time on the Internet but he gave me a point of focus. I started reading again with Harry Potter, and I still read the books back to back.”
The movie adaptation of a book usually falls short of the prose of the original, and with the Potter series too, the books have got an upper hand. City-based Aishwar Shaney says, “Unlike the rest, I first saw the movie and then I read the book. As a kid, I used to imagine that it won’t be long before Hagrid arrives to whisk me off to Hogwarts. I had become the go-to person for friends when they wanted a clarification for anything that they saw in the movie.”
Aiysha Mohammed was someone who looked at the volumes with trepidation, but even she ended up reading the entire series in a week. She says, “Harry Potter was the first book in my collection. it was the first book that I read after I finished my tenth. Surprisingly, I finished the entire the series in a week. My friends and I had numerous discussion on our favourite characters, the things we read etc. I kind of relate to Harry Potter as he was brave enough to do the things he wanted to. What is also similar is the kind of friends we share.”
