Chennai, 20 December (H.S.) : The 49th edition of the Chennai Book Fair is scheduled to take place from January 8 to January 21 at the YMCA grounds in Nandanam.
Organized by the Booksellers and Publishers Association of South India, the highly anticipated literary event will be officially inaugurated by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin at 5.30 pm on the opening day. During the ceremony, the Chief Minister will present the prestigious Muthamizharingar Kalaignar M. Karunanidhi Porkizhi Awards for 2026 to distinguished writers and publishers.
The fair will feature approximately one thousand book stalls and will remain open to the public daily from 11 am to 8.30 pm. Over the course of the fourteen day event, visitors will be offered a mandatory ten per cent discount on all book purchases across all participating stalls.
Organizers have indicated that while entry for school students remains free as in previous years, discussions are currently ongoing regarding whether to waive the entry fee for the general public this year.
This edition will see the participation of major international and national publishing houses, including Penguin Random House India, HarperCollins, and the British Council.
Special stalls will also be dedicated to various government bodies such as the Sahitya Akademi and the National Book Trust. In a significant move toward inclusivity, a special stall has been allotted to a queer publishing house managed by transgender individuals.
Addressing the media, BAPASI Vice President Nakkhreeran Gopal stated that the association expects a high footfall this year and has curated a diverse range of titles and evening lectures by noted scholars to engage bibliophiles.
Authorities have emphasized that all necessary arrangements are being finalized to ensure a seamless experience for the thousands of visitors expected at one of South India’s largest literary gatherings.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Dr. R. B. Chaudhary
