Figuring out Delhi Book Fair

The Delhi Book Fair was for long considered a poor cousin to the Calcutta Book Fair. While the latter was where genuine booklovers landed up, Delhi book fair was regarded to more about glamour and pastime, where the chaat stalls had as much importance as those for books, and discussions on the Marxes or Marques was a strict no-no.

The Delhi Book Fair was for long considered a poor cousin to the Calcutta Book Fair. While the latter was where genuine booklovers landed up, Delhi book fair was regarded to more about glamour and pastime, where the chaat stalls had as much importance as those for books, and discussions on the Marxes or Marques was a strict no-no.

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Fortunately the pattern is changing. While both the number of participants and visitors have continued to grow, what is more remarkable is the place of importance the fair has come to occupy. Today it is regarded as one of the most crucial fairs in the world, right up with Frankfurt or London. Many deals are signed here, authors and agents have become commonplace, publishers are present in strength.

And yes, the chaat stalls have been joined Chinese and fast food joints. Whether they occupy their erstwhile position of primacy remains to be seen.

Number	Year	Area in  square metres	Participants	Number of visitors
First	1972	7,780	200	200,000
Second	1976	7,700	266	150,000
Third	1978	12,000	554	250,000
Fourth	1980	16,800	450	200,000
Fifth	1982	21,000	540	225,000
Sixth	1984	20,000	561	240,000
Seventh	1985	20,000	600	250,000
Eighth	1988	21,000	625	225,000
Ninth	1990	22,000	625	225,000
Tenth	1992	24,000	849	250,000
Eleventh	1994	26,420	984	270,000
Twelfth	1996	32,000	984	400,000
Thirteenth	1998	21,600	1,036	225,000
Fourteenth	2000	29,000	1,281	500,000
Fifteenth	2002	25,000	1,065	450,000
Sixteenth	2004	33,000	1,218