Bilal Bashir Bhat
At the Chinar Book Festival, currently underway, the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) has captured the attention of visitors with a unique stall, distinct from the others in its minimalist design.
Unlike the typical bustling shelves filled with books, IGNCA’s display had an air of exclusivity, which became evident as visitors approached, only to be informed by the staff, “All copies are sold out. You can place an order, and we’ll send it to you from Delhi.”
The book generating such a buzz is the 258-page Place Names in Kashmir, authored by B.K. Raina and S.L. Sadhu. This rare and scholarly work, exploring the etymology and historical significance of place names in Kashmir, has become the unexpected bestseller of the festival.
Within the first three days, all 30 copies available at the stall were sold, leaving eager readers disappointed but determined to get their hands on this precious volume.
The book meticulously traces hundreds of place names in Kashmir, offering insights into their origins and classifications. It unveils fascinating details relevant to microhistory, social behavior, and anthropology, showcasing how regional languages have evolved through semantics, pronunciation, and other linguistic aspects.
Ms. Shruti Awasthi, Regional Director of IGNCA, who was present at the stall, expressed her delight at the overwhelming response. “The books sold like hotcakes,” she remarked, adding that the strong demand reflects the deep-rooted curiosity among the people of Kashmir, particularly the youth, to explore and understand their heritage and the history of the land they inhabit.
As the festival continues, IGNCA is now looking to Delhi to meet the sustained demand, ensuring that the rich history captured in Place Names in Kashmir reaches those eager to delve into the cultural and linguistic tapestry of the region.
Pertinently, the Chinar Book Festival commenced on 17th of this month at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) in Srinagar. This festival organized by National Book Trust (NBT) and the National Council For Promotion of Urdu Language (NCPUL) is dedicated to celebrating the rich culture of reading, promises a series of engaging activities for children, literary sessions, book displays for the people of Srinagar that are designed to reignite the passion for books in a digital age. The festival will end on 25th August.
