[sadhuji]

(It is unfortunate that the prestigious Kolkata Boi Mela has been relocated in the Salt Lake Stadium. The ten day festival of books in the sprawling Maidan had become a way of life of Kolkattans like the Annual Durga pujas. In due course of time, book lovers will get used to the new location. However, on the occasion of Boi Mela, I would like to pen a few thoughts on books in general……)

No matter what critics might say, books are an invaluable part of anybody’s life. They are companions who never desert you, people who are addicted to the written words discover the joys of not just browsing through ordinary text but, in their mind’s eye, converting the ordinary into extraordinary that leave a lasting impression. It is said that the electronic media has weaned people away from books – however, it must be agreed that the depth of the written word is far more penetrating than the fast changing scenario of the visual and audio visual media.

My love for books dates back to my school days (in the late 50s) when my father purchased a bookcase and, later, books to fill the bookcase. All the books were in Bengali and he wanted to build up the sets of Sarat Chandra Chattopadhya, Rabindra Nath Tagore, Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, Tarashankar Bandopadhaya, Premendra Mitra, Narain Gangopadhaya and others. There was a bookshop quite near our flat in Shyambazar – father would procure booklists from the shop and select what he wanted. The shopkeeper would deliver them within a couple of days. Then my brothers and I would put a cover on each, make an entry in a register, paste a number on the external surface and place it lovingly in the case.

Then there were the English books – our school session in those days started in January. On the opening day of school, the results would be declared and booklists would be handed out. We would be told to go to a specific shop on Ganesh Chandra Avenue and purchase the books – the shop was chock full with books from top to bottom. My brothers and I would proceed there with mother. Father would join us later. Invariably, after the books were ready for packing, father would ask us to select a story book. That is how I became an addict.

I have a collection of books, mostly mystery books, by James Hadley Chase, Agatha Chtistie, Leslie Charteris and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. There are also some by Harold Robbins and, several on the Indian crime scene – one of them is the thesis (Vol. 1) submitted by Sri Panchanan Ghosal, M. Sc. for his Doctorate. Another is the two volumes of ‘Aeroplane Production Yearbook and Manual’ (1943) edited by Gp. Capt. G W Williamson, OBE, MC and published by Paul Elek (Publishers) Ltd., London. These are a few of my prized possession that I picked up from the old book stalls on College Street and Free School Street. While the majority has been paid for, there are a few that carry the names of individuals other than mine; some have the rubber stamp of the lending libraries, books that have been declared as lost by them!

(to be continued)

[iwanttogoback]

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books are an invaluable part of anybody’s life

absolutely, i could not agree with you more! my house is full of books, there are book cases in most rooms, there are piles on tables and the floor. i love libraries (particularly being a student) and have three stacks of books from the three libraries i currently borrow from.

[priya]

Yes, books certainly do play an integral part in anyone's life, particularly if parents have encouraged their children to be readers.  As you so rightly put it "they are companions who never desert you......."  

As a youngster I used to sneak books from my father's bookshelf - also mystery and detective novels, Inspector West and The Toff, but I can't remember the author/s.  Harold Robbins, at that age, wouldn't have been permitted   Being an only child and not having access to the movies at that time, reading played a very important role - escapism, fantasy and yes, a loyal companion too.

I look forward to reading your next instalment.....

[jyotirmoy]

Books are definitely the best companion. Unfortunately the youngsters of today do not have the same passion for reading that we had. The cable TV has killed this excellent habit. Every thing is instant these days...

[Shilpaks]

iwanttogoback, on Feb 13 2007, 02:57 PM, said:

absolutely, i could not agree with you more! my house is full of books, there are book cases in most rooms, there are piles on tables and the floor.

ditto here , well my piles are lying around coz im still in the process of getting a big bookcase

ah sadhuji im waiting to read the next part of the writeup

[iwanttogoback]

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Unfortunately the youngsters of today do not have the same passion for reading that we had.

thankfully both of my children love to read, especially madam princess who reads at night in the car by the light of the tiny torch in my mobile phone! her books are scattered through the house and car too!

[jyotirmoy]

iwanttogoback, on Feb 13 2007, 11:07 AM, said:

thankfully both of my children love to read, especially madam princess who reads at night in the car by the light of the tiny torch in my mobile phone! her books are scattered through the house and car too!

You are lucky. The atmosphere at home and a bit of good parenting helps. I am damn lucky in this regard too. Both my daughters are vorecious readers & film lovers.

[sadhuji]

jyotirmpy, priya, shilpaks, iwanttogoback - thanks for having been able to rouse the dormant reader in you. the second part has been posted just now - happy reading.