Hyd book fair: ‘Pedda Bala Siksha’ tops sales amidst revival of reading culture | Hyderabad News

Hyderabad: The annual Hyderabad Book Fair witnessed a significant level of enthusiasm from book lovers, with organisers reporting that nearly 2 lakh people visited the various stalls. By the event’s conclusion on Sunday, total sales are projected to reach approximately 25 crore.
As in prior years, the most-sold book is “Pedda Balasikha,” a Telugu language encyclopedia published during the British era and improvised over the years. This publication incorporates fundamental learning resources for the Telugu language and a collection of songs, hymns, and riddles designed for children.
Academician, Telugu poet, and Hyderabad Book Fair president Yakoob said, “We are happy we got enthusiastic sales across 347 stalls. It really shows that people are coming back to reading or the younger generation is getting interested in reading.”
Speaking to TOI, analyst and literature enthusiast S Rama Krishna remarked, “This is an interesting phenomenon. I observed that many youngsters at the book fair were asking for books like ‘Pedda Bala Siksha‘ alongside popular English titles by renowned authors. Many elders are also eager to maintain their traditions and want their children to embrace Telugu culture. This desire is reflected in the numerous purchases of such books.”
It was also noted that the younger generation showed a particular interest in American author James Clear, who is well-known for his self-development books. Meanwhile, several prominent figures shared their favourite Telugu books during the literary discussions held at the fair. Popular titles mentioned included ‘Kanyasulkam,’ ‘Edu Taralu,’ and ‘Antarani Vasantham.’