Coming back to writing after a really long time. Though I had many things to tell, I never thought of writing them down, as I became busy with other things in life. Now, back to writing. Not sure how long this will go on.
Yesterday I went to the Book Exhibition in Chennai. The Exhibition is back to its old venue of St. George Anglo-Indian school grounds. This time the path from the main gate to the Exhibtion hall is not just a simple straight path, with banners of writers and stalls on both sides but it was a curvy one, with no space on either side for the banners. But still some writers (or stall owners???) managed to keep some flex banners. Since I came by walk, I by-passed the long route to the Exhibition hall, by entering through the bike stand. In the front, there was a dias, where some meeting was going on. Some eminent persons from the literary world were giving speeches. The meeting was in full peak with all the chairs occupied. Saw a big food court next to it.
Took the entrance ticket by paying Rs. 10 at one of the counters. This time I paid with a ten rupee coin. After the rumor that the ten rupee coins will be banned, they are in decent circulation. I went inside the Exhibition hall. As I am used to this exhibition, this time I didn't wonder about the size of the hall (or tent???), number of the stalls, or the number of books on display. I just went to Stall No. 1 and started strolling from there. My friend Ramani had asked me to buy some books for kids, if possible. She also told the stall number (Stall No. 45). Though later I found that stall number didn't exactly match. Or may be that I missed the actual stall that sold imported books for children. Whatever be the case, I didn't buy book for kids. I went inside a stall where there was heap of books for children. I opened a few books and tried to read them, but unfortunately I couldn't understand anything and hence dropped the idea of buying those books, as I thought that even kids will find it difficult to read and understand them.
I just kept strolling though the pathway between the stalls, exactly in the middle, with stalls on both sides. Through any pathway, I traversed only once. This is different from my early visits, in which I will traverse twice, once on the left and once on the right, so that I don't miss the shops on either side. Also, I used to get into almost all the shops and browse through the books. This time I just kept walking. Books didn't attract me anymore (Or may be at the moment???). In Uyirmai stall, I saw Manushya Puthiran, writer Charu Nivedhitha, and three more people seated in chairs and chatting. As usual there was a lady (Manush's wife???) was sitting in the counter. Earlier Manush used to sit in his foldable wheel chair, but now he is seated in a comfortable small cushion sofa. He seemed to be more happy compared to my earlier encounters with him. When I was about to leave the Uyirmai stall, saw the blogger Cable Sankar talking to writer Charu Nivedhitha. More than talking he was laughing most of the time. He was a short, stout man, in his middle ages. Earlier when I used to see writers, I used to go and talk to them, and try to take a photo with them. Now I am least bothered about them. I just kept walking.
In one shop (Stall No. 293), I saw some old tape-recorders, telephones, hanging from the roof. I just stopped to watch them. Then I understood that its a trick to make people notice, enter, and eventually buy a book. Also most of the book readers belong to that period, when they listened to songs on a tape-recorder and made phone calls on those black rolling number dial telephones. Upon seeing Jayamohan's (somewhat big) photo I entered that stall, thinking that if I find a copy of the "Rubber" novel, I will buy. But I couldnt find "Rubber", but found many bundles of "Aram", book by the same author. I thought of buying a copy of Aram. The price was Rs. 300, after a 10% discount, it will come to Rs. 270. Somewhat a big money. So, I called up my friend and she asked me to buy if I want. This "Aram" is a collection of long stories. I have read 2 stories from it on net, one among them was "100 Naarkaligal" (100 chairs). A story I liked a lot, and was very inspiring. I told my friend that I will continue with the walk and after completing all the stalls, if I still feel like buying, I will buy the book.
I went ahead with my walk. I understood that I have crossed this stage of life, and no longer will required to go for a book exhibition (for some time???). Mostly because I lost interest in reading books, and also got used to reading books in electronic format in laptop and in mobile phones. The latter can be done without spending a rupee, most of the time. Also I have discovered other hobbies that keeps me busy and healthy. After giving one last thought, I came out of the exhibition hall, without buying the "Aram" book. I already have a print out of the "100 Naarkaligal" and thought if I wanted to read the other stories, I can do so on the net, in writer jayamohan's blog. Upon reaching home, I gave a beautiful (according to me at least) punch about this to my friend. But someday I may buy this "Aram" and "Rubber".
On the way back, saw the platform shops. Not the second hand book shops that used to be there earlier. A few years back I bought "Fountain Head" from one of the platform shops for just Rs. 10. It was the first version of that book. I saw one person selling plastic device, which looked more like a big injection, with a 2 litre water bottle attached to its neck. I was spraying a jet of water at a high speed (velocity???). The shop keeper said (to some other person) that it can be used to water the plants and also for water-washing the bike. The latter interested me, but I thought it will be costly here, and hoped that soon it will be available everywhere, and I can buy one. Dreaming of that day when I will fill soap or a shampoo solution into that 2 liter bottle, and will happily water wash my bike with it. From the net found that it is a "universal jet spray gun bottle water sprayer"(Images below). We need to attach a bottle with water, pump, and then it sprays for sometime, due to the pressure built inside the bottle. An ingenious invention indeed.
After reaching home, I was happy that I didn't take Dhanesh with me, as it would have been very boring for him. Also I felt exhausted due to long walk, to and from and within the Book Exhibition Hall and also I felt that I have wasted the ten rupee (entrance fee).
- Pavala
Jan 18, 17.
