Patna: The Patna Book Fair is set to return to Gandhi Maidan from 5 to 16 December, with organisers promising one of the most vibrant editions yet. Hosted by the Centre for Readership Development (CRD), this year’s fair is dedicated to acclaimed storyteller Awadhesh Preet and will showcase more than 300 programmes celebrating literature, arts, cinema and youth talent.
The organisers announced that the 2025 theme — “Wellness: A Way of Life” — will frame discussions and cultural events across the 12-day festival.
A crowded calendar: over 300 events across genres
Visitors can expect an eclectic mix of sessions:
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‘Teri Meri Prem Kahani’, focused on youth storytelling
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National mushaira and kavi sammelan featuring celebrated poets
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Gyaan aur Gurukul sessions
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Cinema Uneema film screenings
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Editorial dialogues, theatre showcases, art galleries, campus events and school festivals
Each day will feature ‘Kitab ke Shabd Uchcharit Hue’, in which poets and authors read from their works. Under the coordination of Utkarsh Anand, poets will present daily readings, while storytellers will share excerpts from their latest books.
Youth engagement remains a strong pillar this year, with Dr Kumar Vimlendu curating ‘Teri Meri Prem Kahani’, and Moni Tripathi leading the daily School Utsav, where children from leading Patna schools will perform music and dance.
200 publishing stalls, India’s leading publishers to attend
Around 200 stalls will be set up, featuring major Indian publishers such as:
Prabhat Prakashan, Rajkamal, Vani Prakashan, Bharatiya Jnanpith, Upkar Prakashan, Samyak Prakashan, Hind Yugm and others.
Authors, editors and academics including KC Sinha, Abu Bakar Rizvi, Jay Prakash Pandey, Sudhanshu Kumar, Dr Guru Prakash Paswan, Prof Rekha Rani, Prof Mangla Rani, Prof Sanjay Paswan and Prof DC Rai will join sessions and discussions.
The popular Shashibhushan Dwivedi Award, coordinated by Prabhat Ranjan, will again be presented during the fair.
Mushaira, kavi sammelan and cinema festival to headline cultural attractions
In collaboration with the Patna Literary Festival, a national mushaira will feature voices such as Himanshi Babra, Syed Tabrez ‘Munawwar’ Rana, Sajjad Jhanjhat, Prerna Pratap, Manwar Jafri, Ibrahim Zeeshan and Sawan Shukla.
The kavi sammelan will host noted poets including Neelotpala Mrinal, Chandan Dwivedi and rising contemporary voices.
Cinema lovers will have a dedicated screening hall under Kumar Ravikant’s coordination. Daily screenings of feature films, shorts and documentaries will be held, including Pankaj Tripathi’s Laali and Akhilendra Mishra’s Baraat.
Theatre enthusiasts can attend ‘Aao Aao Natak Dekho’, where college troupes will stage plays throughout the fair.
