CM inaugurated; free entry for readers for the first time
Tamil Nadu: Chief Minister M.K. Stalin will inaugurate the 49th Chennai Book Fair, organized by the South Indian Booksellers and Publishers Association (SIPSA), at the Nandanam YMCA Grounds on Thursday (January 8). For the first time, free entry is available for readers.
Speaking to reporters in Chennai on Tuesday, PABASI President R.S. Shanmugam, Secretary S. Vairavan, Vice President Nakkheeran Gopal, and Treasurer A.R. Venkatachalam said: The 49th Chennai Book Fair will be held from January 8 to January 21 at the Nandanam YMCA Playgrounds in Chennai. At the opening ceremony on Tuesday, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin will inaugurate the book fair and present the Artist M. Karunanidhi Golden Medal Award. Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi, Minister M. Subramaniam, Anbil Mahesh, and others will attend the opening ceremony. This year’s book fair will be held from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. This year, there will be 1,000 booths, including 428 Tamil booths, 256 English booths, and 24 general booths. One booth is reserved for Japanese language books.
Renowned authors will interact with readers throughout the book fair. Additionally, several film artists, Tamil scholars, and speakers will participate daily. Musicians will also participate to pay tribute to classical music.
Babaasi Awards on January 19: This year’s Babaasi Awards will be presented to Kuja Kadhiresan of Anthinai Publishing House (Best Publishing House), Sivaguru Publishing House (Best Seller), M. Murugesh (Best Children’s Writer), Kadarkarai Matha Vilasa Angadham (Best Tamil Scholar), J. Deepa (Best Female Writer), A. Lokma Devi (Best Children’s Science Book), S.P. Sivarasan (Poetry and Literature Award), and Munivar Sundar Avudayappan (Best Self-Confidence Book). The Best Librarian Award will be announced later. Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi will present the Babasi Awards at the ceremony on January 19th.
Supreme Court Justice R. Mahadevan will attend the closing ceremony on January 21st and present awards to those who have worked in the publishing industry for over 25 years.
No Entry Fee: To attract as many readers as possible, this year’s Chennai Book Fair is offering free entry without any entry fee. Readers visiting the Book Fair simply need to register their names at the entrance. This registration will help determine attendance.
Internet Service and Charging Facilities: To attract readers, a large statue of Thiruvalluvar will be installed in the Book Exhibition Hall. ATM machines will be installed in the Book Exhibition Hall for readers. Debit and credit card swiping facilities have been provided at 15 locations. Free Wi-Fi and mobile phone charging facilities are provided.
On January 12th (Monday), a ‘Chennai Reads’ event is being organized at the Book Fair Complex, where 3,000 school students will participate. Chennai Mayor R. Priya, School Education Director S. Kannappan, teachers, and parents will participate.
Student Competitions: A painting competition for students will be held on January 9th from 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM. A speech competition for school students will be held on January 10th (Saturday) from 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM, and a speech competition for college students will be held on January 13th from 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM. The Pongal Festival will be celebrated at the Book Fair site on January 13th from 7:00 AM to 8:00 AM. He added that the Master Pawar Pandian Group will perform Silambu afterward.
Highlights of the 2026 Book Fair
Readers attending the Book Fair must register their names at the entrance. Based on this registration, a daily draw will be held, and prizes will be awarded to readers.
The Postal Department will construct two halls in place of the book exhibition hall. One hall will provide information about postal services. The other will provide all information about Aadhaar cards and parcel services.
A dedicated platform will be created to explain education and related processes. A selfie point has been created for readers to take selfies.
This year, a minibus has been arranged to bring visitors and readers from nearby areas, including Thyagarayan Nagar and Saidapet, to the Nandanam Book Fair premises.
The Children’s Imaging Institute will set up a special pavilion, where various activities will be held to attract children.
The Tamil Nadu Government’s Electricity Department will share information about solar energy at the Book Fair premises.
