Sapna Book House distributes 10,000 Kannada books worth Rs 20 lakh on Rajyotsava

Bengaluru: Marking the 71st Kannada Rajyotsava, Sapna Book House distributed 10,000 Kannada books worth Rs 20 lakh free of cost at its Gandhi Nagar premises here on Su day The celebrations, which included a book fair and a Kannada writers' meet, brought together writers, litterateurs and prominent personalities to underline the importance of reading and preserving Kannada literary traditions.

The initiative also reflected the journey of Sapna Book House, which has grown from a modest 40-square-foot bookstore into one of India's prominent book retail and publishing institutions.

Founded by entrepreneur Suresh C. Shah in Bengaluru on January 26, 1967, the bookstore began by selling dictionaries. Nearly six decades later, it has become a major destination for readers, students, researchers and families, with an extensive collection covering academic publications, fiction, non-fiction, children's literature and regional writing. This prestigious publishing house will in the alacrity of its 60th anniversary in 2027.

Its contribution to Kannada literature has gone beyond retailing books. Through its publishing activities, Sapna has provided a platform for established and emerging writers. By 2016, it had published more than 5,000 titles by over 500 authors, including distinguished Jnanpith and Central Sahitya Akademi award recipients. The Karnataka Government honoured the institution with the Karnataka Rajyotsava Award for its contribution to Kannada publishing.

Its large showrooms have also earned recognition from the Limca Book of Records and the India Book of Records. Adapting to changing reading and buying habits, the institution expanded into online retail through SapnaOnline and launched SapnaINK, a self-publishing platform that enables aspiring writers to bring out their works.

The Rajyotsava programme was inaugurated by actor Doddanna, litterateur and Nadaprabhu awardee Prof. Hampana Nagarajaiah, Karnataka Lekhakiyara Sangha president Dr B.R. Sunandamma, retired IAS officer Dr C. Somashekar, writer Jogi and Sapna Book House managing director Nitin Shah, along with Deepak Shah, Paresh Shah, Nitesh Shah and Doddegowda.

Recalling the first Kannada Rajyotsava celebrations on November 1, 1956, Prof. Hampana Nagarajaiah said the then Governor Jayachamaraja Wadiyar had hoisted the Kannada flag at Central College in Bengaluru. He said he felt privileged to have participated in the first celebrations as well as the 71st edition. He stressed the need to strengthen book culture and appreciated Sapna Book House for providing an opportunity to serve Kannada readers.

Actor Doddanna said Kannada had a rich history and described it as the language of the heart. He urged people to take pride in the language and develop the habit of reading Kannada books.

Dr C. Somashekar said books illuminated people's lives and credited Sapna with contributing to the growth of Kannada publishing. He called upon parents to encourage children to read books instead of spending excessive time on mobile phones, suggesting a campaign with the message, "Put down the mobile phone and pick up a book".

Nitin Shah said Kannada Rajyotsava should create a festive atmosphere in homes and communities, with people coming together to celebrate the language. Sapna was offering discounts on Kannada publications to encourage reading and support Kannada authors and publishers, he said.

Several writers and literary personalities, including S. Shadakshari, Narasimhamurthy, Dundiraj, Vasundhara Bhupathi, D.V. Guruprasad, Dr Vatsala Mohan, R.N. Chandrashekar, Y.V. Gundurao, Appagere Thimmaraju, Krithika Srinivas, Prof. Mallepuram G. Venkatesh, Radhakrishna, Ananth Raman, Karigowda Bichchanahalli, S.K. Umesh, V.C. Channagowda, Belur Raghunandan, Shashidhar Halady, Anand and Bairamangala Ramagowda, attended the programme.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

M Raghuram

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