Bengaluru’s Vidhana Soudha, the seat of the Karnataka legislative assembly, is hosting its first-ever book fair in a bid to inculcate reading habits among children and the younger generation. The Karnataka State Legislature Book Fair 2025 is ongoing from February 28, and will continue till March 3, and was inaugurated by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday.
The brainchild of Assembly Speaker U T Khader Fareed, the book fair features a literature festival as well as cultural performances during its four-day run. Currently, around 151 bookstores have set up shop, with 80 per cent of the collection dedicated to Kannada literature and the rest to English and other languages. Several budding writers will launch their books at the event, while authors will also get to have interactive sessions with readers.
Among the Bengaluru publishers who have displayed their books are Sahitya Bhandara, Ankita Pustaka, Navakarnataka, Gauri Lankesh Patrike, Bhavana Prakashana, Abhinava, and Akriti. Universities and media houses are also participating in the fair. The event will conclude with a musical programme by noted film music composers Arjun Janya and Sadhu Kokila, who is also the chairman of the Karnataka Chalanachitra Academy.
Speaking at the book fair’s launch, Siddaramaiah lauded the initiative and announced the fair would become an annual feature from now on. Quoting a Kannada proverb that emphasises wide travel and deep study to attain knowledge, he said, “Reading books furthers our knowledge. However, it’s not enough if we read and become educated. Literature should humanise us.
“Today's children are addicted to TV, mobile, and social media. Instead, let them get addicted to books.”
Khader Fareed said that he would continue to hold the book fair annually until he retires as speaker of the assembly and hopes his successors would also continue the practice. He added that, depending on the response to this fair in Bengaluru, suggestions that a similar book fair be held in Suvarna Vidhana Soudha, the state legislature house, ahead of the winter session will be looked into.
The book fair is on till March 3 from 10 AM to 8 PM. Entry is free for the public.
The Vidhana Soudha, which was completed in 1956, has three main floors and was constructed in the Neo-Dravidian style with elements taken from various dynasties, such as the Chalukyas, Hoysalas, and the Vijayanagara Empire. The building occupies 60 acres and has a central wing and banquet hall on the ground floor. One of its most interesting features is its grand stairs in the front, which grant direct access to the foyer of the first floor.