Kolkata: Like every year, Kolkata Book Fair 2019 is all set to launch quite a few jottings from Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's pen. Six books in all will be published by Dey's Publishing, one of the biggest Bengali publishing houses in the city.
Waiting to see light of day are Banerjee's two poetry books, including Aami, a book on politics, Bipanna Bharat, an Urdu book of poems, two compilations of quotes and names by the Chief Minister.
Subhrangshu Dey said: "Other important books will be veteran actor Savitri Chattopadhyay's Smritikatha, Mahajuddher Ghora (volume 2), Bratya Basu's prose collection and Manoj Mitra's collection of 11 plays."
Another eminent publisher of English books Rupa and Co. also has a bevy of potential best-sellers lined up for the upcoming fest. One is a book by Amitava Nag on Satyajit Ray's heroes and heroines titled Satyajit Ray's Heroes and Heroines. "The topic is uncovered so far and talks about characters both smaller and bigger like Barun Chanda. The paperback costs Rs 295," said Raju Burman, proprietor of Rupa and Co.
Another important title this year is Calcutta Under Fire, containing the events of World War II. The price of this history paperback is Rs 295. This book by David Lockwood is about how Calcutta was bombed in 1942 and the city's population ran in hope of shelter. The book analyses reactions of both the Indian National Congress and the British government on this occasion.
Another popular title is bound to be Devdutt Pattanaik's book Ramayana vs Mahabharata: My playful Comparison. The author explores the similarities and dissimilarities between the two epics in a playful analysis.
There will be prominent displays in the stall this year on 150 years of Mahatma Gandhi and also books on Kolkata. Discussions by guest authors will also liven up the ambience.