The Chennai Book Fair – an event most sought annual event of the publishing industry & Book lovers of Tamil Nadu was inaugurated on Jan. 4 The Booksellers and Publishers Association of South India, which conducts this book fair annually , 31st Chennai Book Fair has 528 Stalls displaying books and multimedia educational Products. This year BAPASI has introduced new concept of providing racks to 30 Small Publishers, which is mostly from Tamil. The Book Fair ground is spread in 1,50,000 Sq ft can accommodate 500 Cars and innumerable two wheelers.


Kalaignar Mu Karunanithi Porkizhi Virudhu , from the corpus fund of Rupees One Crore donated Donated by Dr.Kalaingar.Mu.karunanidhi from his peronal funds to honour writers was presented to Ma. Su. Sambanthan, Kavingar Puviarasu, Mu. Ramasamy and Smt. Tamilselvi for Tamil and Smt. Sarah Joseph for Malayalam. ( four from Tamil, One from other Indian Language, and One from English Annually.)

The 528 Stalls & 30 Stands cover a wide range of books in English and Tamil. Categories range from Educational, Exam Prep to Sporting,Multimedia CDs, Art and Religion.The book fair starts on January 4th till January 17 at St. George’s School between 2 p.m. and 8.30 p.m. on working days and 11 a.m. and 8.30 p.m. on holidays.


This Mega Event is a reality made by BAPASI President Mr.Gandhi Kannadhasan , Secretary R.S.Shanmugam & team of Office Bearers & Dedicated Volunteers 4 months long Consistent & committed Efforts.
Hats Off BAPASI Team.

When we Spoke with Exhibitors,we could notice a sense of Dissatisfaction about less Visitors during the take off week,They Pointed out reduced Advertisements & less media advertisements resulted in attracting less crowd than the normal.One of the Major reasons they pointed out was Aanantha Vikatan which prepared the mind of book readers through its articles, advertisement, Prizes & sponsorship (most Popular Singapore Ticket )last year, Distanced Itself from BAPASI this year.Experiment of 6 entrance also ended in confussion, Burning the Finger of exhibitors.

Many Visitors Pointed out repetition of Books with Many exhibitors (Booksellers & publishers).Also few felt the absence of Major Bookstores Like Landmark,Oxford & Oddessy which can be one stop for their Purchases.Increase in stalls numbers with out Uniqueness makes them feel frustrated by seeing repetitions inspite of walking long in aie Ground.Many also felt need of Property counters wher they can leave thier belonging & collect it back after thier shopping & resting chairs which would help them to take rest after heavy walk with purchase bags,as it more than 2 Km walk in the fair visiting stalls
Its High Time now to categorise the exhibitors to make it convenient for the Buyers.Many visitors Pointed out they were not aware start & end date in advance.

It's an appeal to BAPASI to work On concrete plans to retain The Visitors to Keep the Book readers alive Through early Promotions in print & media,and categorise the stalls
Looking all this makes me Feel, 'Makkal sindhani pervai' stalin Gunsekaran who organises Book Fair in erode, ends up every year ensuring Incraese in Number of Visitors & Volume of sales .Keeping the 150 stalls a constant & through consistant efforts to attarct crowd.He not only bring Smile in face of Readers also ensure happiness of all his exhibitors in every erode Book fair.Not person from Business or management bacground Stalin Firmly Belives & Understand that its delight of sellers & visitors is an important key sucess of Erode fair,Not Just statistical Increase of stalls without any marketing efforts.

Toilet Facilities (specially for women )& water Logging Near the food court (Its Stincking smell) needs Immediate attention.

Added attraction at the fair grounds is 4800 Sq ft Over crowded Food Court, which provides variety of South Indian, North Indian, Chinese, and Fast Food beside the Fresh Juice counter.Food Court made its Bottom Line up in this event.

With few crowd & More stalls can the Book Sellers & Publishers make thier Bottom line?