PVPF 2024

A three-day Urdu Book Fair was Launched at Hyderabad's Public Garden

Explore diverse Urdu literature at Hyderabad's three-day book fair. Discounted prices, rare translations, and a literary platform for writers await!
on Feb 20, 2024

The Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Research Institute opened a three-day Urdu book market in Hyderabad on Sunday, February 18.

Amir Ali Khan, News Editor of Siasat Urdu Daily, opened the fair. The event will continue open to the public till February 20, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The fair sells books by prominent individuals and emerging writers at discounted prices.

Prof Ashraf Rafi, President of the Institute, presided over the inauguration ceremony, which was attended by former Director Urdu Academy and Vice President of the Institute Prof S A Shukoor, Senior Advocate and Vice President of the Institute Ghulam Yazdani, as well as Institute members Aziz Ahmed, Dr Sardar Sajjan Singh and Khwaja Moizuddin, Dr Mustafa Ali Sarwari, and others.

Dr. Javed Kamal, Director/Secretary of the Institute, organised the occasion.
The books are elegantly exhibited and classified into several categories such as Islamic literature, poetry, and humour. There is a special emphasis on literature published by women. The names of the authors have been properly noted.

Professor Ashraf Rafi voiced concern about the fall in Urdu readership. In response to the paucity of Urdu readers, Chief Guest Amir Ali Khan advocated launching dastangoi (audio books) and pledged his support.

Attendees praised the organisers' efforts and congratulated them on organising the event, which they believed would increase interest in Urdu reading and promote writers. They observed that, with the rise of digital media, reading has fallen, and even those who are interested frequently prefer digital versions over hardcopies.

Writers complained about spending a lot of money on book publishing with little return, often resorting to giving away free copies or letting their works sit around at home.

Prof. Ashraf Rafi voiced concern over the loss of Urdu readership. In response to the Urdu reader shortage, Chief Guest Amir Ali Khan advocated starting dastangoi (audio books) and expressed his support for the initiative.

Attendees praised the organisers' efforts and congratulated them for organising the event, saying it would increase interest in Urdu reading and promote writers. They highlighted that with the rise of digital media, reading has fallen, and even those who are interested frequently prefer digital versions over hardcopies.

Writers complained about spending a lot of money on book publishing with little return, often resorting to giving away free copies or letting their works sit in their homes.

The fair's goal is to present writers to the next generation, create a platform for book sales at deep rates, and give Urdu aficionados with a varied variety of books.

Some English novels written by Shahid Aslam Zuberi, J.S. Iftekhar, Khaja Nizamuddin, and others are on display.

There are also rare texts accessible, such as the first Urdu and Persian translations of the Quran.