The Assam Book Fair at Khanapara has recorded book sales of over ₹6.80 crore as of January 5, 2026, signalling sustained public interest in reading despite fluctuating daily footfall during the event.
Officials from the Publication Board Assam and the All Assam Book Publishers and Sellers Association told GPlus that the fair has been drawing an average daily footfall of 20,000 to 25,000 visitors, with numbers peaking on weekends and holidays.
Scale and Participation
This year’s fair featured 135 book stalls, including 17 publishers from Kolkata, 11 from Delhi, and several publishing houses from Assam. Organisers said the participation of out-of-state publishers expanded the diversity of titles available, though Assamese books continued to dominate overall sales.
What Sold the Most
Assamese literature, particularly novels and general reading titles, emerged as the strongest-performing category.
A notable highlight was the overwhelming interest in books related to legendary Assamese musician Zubeen Garg. Publishers reported that over 60 titles connected to his life, music, and cultural contribution were available across stalls.
Books written by his father, Kapil Borthakur, saw strong demand, along with popular titles such as Gaanor Zubeen, Pranor Zubeen, collections of Zubeen Garg’s songs, and recent releases including Mritu Khujt Andhakaar, Ananya Sunita, and Mama Muk Kuwasun.
Voices from the Fair
Eminent author Santanu Kausik Baruah described the fair as encouraging, pointing to the enthusiasm of young readers and the availability of books in multiple languages, including Bengali.
Counsellor Sangeeta Laskar welcomed the quality of books and popular titles but noted that repetition across stalls reduced the sense of variety in some sections.
What Visitors Said
Visitors shared mixed reactions. While many appreciated the strong presence of Assamese literature and younger readers, some flagged high book prices and uneven crowd distribution across stalls as concerns.
The Bigger Picture
Despite weekday dips in attendance and growing digital entertainment options, organisers and observers believe the fair’s strong sales reflect a resilient reading culture in Assam.
Media practitioner Liza Thakuria summed it up by saying that while rising prices and crowd management issues remain challenges, the overall turnout and revenue indicate that interest in books and reading remains firmly alive in the state.
