#KLF
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#KLF |
And the aroma of the newly turned pages still intoxicates me…
It’s one of those times of the year that probably every
rooted Kolkatan awaits. The 15 days long tour of the aroma of the new books, of
the suspended dust in the air that is left back by the footsteps of every soul who’ve
been frequenting the stalls, the lip-smacking food stuffs overhang the air that
calls only for some newly made ‘nostalgia’. The International Kolkata
Book Fair, or as it trends in Twitter, The Kolkata Literature
Festival, #KLF, has it all! The essence of the knowledge
and creativity showcased here throughout this fortnight is enriched by the
personalities every book lover gets an exposure to.
Today, a couple of days after the end of the 40th IKBF, after celebrating
the magic of literature and varied linguistic touches, it makes me nostalgic of
my former years of visit to this extravagant ethnicity. Though not quite a vivid
memory that strays back, but I remember how tightly I used to cling on to my
father’s fist, to avoid losing myself in this complete alien world of books and
book lovers and book critics and books analysts and all other sorts. Though never
quite a fervent reader, yet the aroma of the new pages always intoxicated me!
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The aroma of the new pages... |
IKBF has a whole lot of scenes playing simultaneously that at
a glance looks like a backstage of a huge theatre where we, the players keep
rehearsing for the ‘tomorrow’. After all it’s the knowledge and
experience that today prepares us for tomorrow!
Book Fair, or as a Bong would call it, “Boi Mela”,
through the years have undergone a renaissance, and probably is still into the
process. The venue has been shifted from Maidan to Milan Mela Prangan
and the choice of literature has evolved through the passing years, yet the
emotion attached seems to remain… even today gangs of college students flock
together strumming their guitar, leaving behind strains of melody, intellectual book
lovers hovering around the grounds in urban fashioned looks, painters sketching
portraits of passer byes, children crowding around the Little Magazine stalls
and then comes the literature festival revolving around a theme country, based
on some past events and some that made history on the face of the 80s and 90s
world.
And the first time staying away from that intoxicating aroma,
yes, I miss it thoroughly! I miss the nostalgia attached, the promises made,
the plans stocked up since last year. Everything. And as its said… You
can take out a Bong from Kolkata, but never try to take out Kolkata from the
heart of a Bengali!
From the heart of a true Bong!
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IKBF Theme 2016: Bolivia
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