Youngsters at the Rajdhani Book Fair in Bhubaneswar. Picture by Ashwinee Pati

Bhubaneswar, Dec. 13: The ongoing Rajdhani Book Fair is attracting bibliophiles of all ages in large numbers on the Exhibition Ground here.

Into its 14th edition, the fair has books on almost every theme and subject and in English, Odia, Hindi and Bengali.

Around 600 kiosks have been set up by publishers, book sellers and different private and government organisations. There are booksellers from 17 states taking part in the event.

The highlights of the exhibition are special series of books both in Odia and English for young readers.

Stories on legendary personalities — freedom fighters, authors and other great men and women — from Odisha have been made into abridged yet engaging fictional format.

A number of folk tales, traditional legends and mythological adventures are also available in the illustrated format. Classics such as Tom Sawyer, fairy tales and adventures of Nancy Drew and Sherlock Holmes case files are also packaged to appeal the young readers.

For bookworms who are ardent followers of fiction, there are options too many. Several kiosks are offering Harry Potter series, books by Salman Rushdie, Jeffrey Archer, John Grisham and almost every well-known and popular author.

One can also pick up works of Shakespeare, Jane Austen and authors of the 15th to 21st century.

“I wanted a copy of Canterbury Tales and I got it here. The best thing about buying books here are the amazing discounts,” said Sabyasachi Patnayak, a book lover.

Comics also seem to be growing in popularity as the Amar Chitra Katha and various other graphic novels are available in abundance at the fair.

“We are glad that we could bring an assembly of Odia classics and modern literature as well as books on themes such as religion, geography, science, academic books on law, commerce and many more. Also, the kiosks by National Book Trust, Odisha Sahitya Akademi and other state and central government organisations offer well researched books on a wide range of subjects,” said Upendra Kumar Jena, president of the Rajdhani book fair organising committee.

Other attractions at the book fair are daily literary workshops and cultural programmes as well as felicitation of Odia authors in 12 genres of literature as well as special awards to publishers.

For those who are yet to make it, the fair is on till December 15.