Small publishers showcase anti-caste and Buddhist books at Chennai Book Fair

Chennai: The 48th Chennai Book Fair at Nandanam provided a platform for books on anti-caste themes and Buddhism by small publishers, thanks to the Tamil Nadu Adi Dravidar Housing Development Corporation (Tahdco).Direct translations of B R Ambedkar, Ayothi Dass, Justice K Chandru, MP D Ravikumar, and Christhudas Gandhi were showcased at the four stalls alongside those of Buddhist writers such as A P Periyasamy Pulavar and Ve Vae Murugesa Bhagavathar. These books were displayed in the same row as devotional texts from the HR and CE department.Vijay Kumar, New College professor who published books on Ayothi Dasar under his own publication, said he, along with a few other small publications, approached Tahdco as they couldn't afford stalls at the Chennai Book Fair. Tahdco sponsored four stalls for them. Publishers including Manarkeni, Aram, Palam, Inclusive Dhamma Publications, Arasa Maram, and Babasaheb Ambedkar Art Literature Association displayed their work at the event. "Ayothi Dasar's writings on Buddhism have yet to reach a larger audience, and we hope this book fair serves as a platform to promote his work," said Vijay Kumar.Sakkiya Sakthi, another professor with Arasa Maram publications, said the speech of Anahariha Dhamma Balar at Chicago, where Swami Vivekananda also participated, is now available in print. "U Ve Saminatha Iyer's take on Buddhism was republished after 100 years," he said.Meanwhile, the book fair gathered necessary momentum on the second day, and bookworms of all ages thronged the venue. "We expect more visitors on Sunday," said Bapasi Secretary Murugesan.
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