Book fair on the Idco exhibition ground in Bhubaneswar. Picture by Ashwinee Pati

Bhubaneswar, Nov. 2: Booklovers are in for a treat as two book fairs are under way in the city.

Publishers from across the state and the country are taking part at the ongoing Ekamra Book Festival at Janata Maidan and Kalinga Book Fair at the Idco Exhibition Ground.

A large number of renowned publication houses, mainly from the state like Vidyapuri, Prakash Book Depot, Agradoot, Friends Publishers have set up their stalls at the Ekamra book festival.

A large number of books such as Odia classics, short stories collections, books on poetry and children’s literature are available at the fair.

The publishers feel that the craze for reading Odia novels still prevails among a select group of young readers.

Literary works of Odia writers such as Gopinath Mohanty, Manoj Das, Nityananda Mahapatra, Surendra Mohanty are among the bestsellers.

Bibliophiles were seen buying Odia short stories collections and poetry books.

“Although we have books of various genres, it is fulfilling to see the enthusiasm of the youngsters to read Odia literature. I have already sold a few poetry books by Haraprasad Das and Sitakant Mahapatra,” said the manager at Lily bookstall.

Commemorating the 50th anniversary of the famous novel Nilasaila, a separate stall dedicated to its writer Surendra Mohanty has also been set up.

“We have planned to hold sessions on popular science fiction and short stories where schoolchildren and college-goers will get a chance to interact with young and veteran writers,” said Abhay Nayak, vice-president of the festival organising committee.

The Kalinga Book Fair is also offering a wide range of books on mythological texts, fiction and non-fiction, bestsellers and books for competitive exams.

Around 200 individual sellers and publishing houses from Bengal, Karnataka, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra have set up their kiosks.

Subhendu Roy of the Bengal-based Chakravorty Publication said: “We expected a good sale and we have not been disappointed.”

Poetry sessions and interactive sessions with literary exponents will also take place at the Kalinga fair.

While the Ekamra book festival will continue till November 9, the Kalinga book fair ends on November 10.