Beyond Screens, Between Pages: The 38th Hyderabad Book Fair
What truly separates the rich from the poor? Wealth…??
no no Knowledge says a BookLover.
In an age dominated by reels, algorithms, and endless doom-scrolling, younger generations often believe knowledge is just a swipe away. To a degree, they are right. Social media and the internet are merely modern versions of what once existed as Thalipatra Granthas , then books, and now digital text. Yet, despite all technological advancement, books remain unmatched .
They cannot be deleted, do not strain the eyes, do not disturb sleep, and most importantly, they nurture imagination, empathy, and critical thinking. And nowhere is this truth more visible than at the 38th Hyderabad Book Fair .
A Living Festival of Literature
Held at NTR Stadium , the Hyderabad Book Fair has once again transformed the city into a vibrant celebration of ideas. From thrilling adventures and biographies to romantic novels, poetry, philosophy, yoga manuals, adult mandala colouring books, and children’s literature, the fair offers an ocean of stories across languages and generations.
One can walk from Telangana history to modern fiction, from Radcliffe’s Harry Potter series to Ram Gopal Varma’s Na Istam to Nenu authored by legendary comedian Brahmanandam. Every stall feels like a doorway into a new world.
Ande Sri: The Poet Who Gave Telangana Its Voice
A Gen-Z, Gen Alpha… asks, “Who is Ande Sri?”
Ande Sri was not merely a poet; he was the voice of a movement . Born into poverty and denied formal education, he began life as a shepherd. He learned alphabets from children he played with and transformed those letters into thousands of lines that later captured the soul of Telangana.
During the Telangana movement, his songs became rallying cries, echoing through protests and public gatherings, articulating the aspirations of people demanding a separate state. His most historic contribution was writing the official Telangana state anthem, “Jaya Jaya Hey Telangana, Janani Jaya Kethanam,” which was formally adopted by the government in February 2024 .
Among his landmark works is “Maayamai Pothundamma Manishanavadu,” written for the film Erra Samudram . Its literary power was such that Andhra Pradesh University included it in the Telugu second-year graduation syllabus in 2009. This made it only the third song in 77 years of Telugu cinema to be included in academic syllabi, after Maa Telugu Thalliki and Telugu Jathi Manadi .
A Legacy Recognised Across the World
Ande Sri’s contribution earned him widespread recognition. Kakatiya University conferred an honorary doctorate upon him for his contribution as a lyricist. He won the Nandi Award for Best Lyricist for Ganga in 2006. On February 1, 2014, the Academy of Universal Global Peace in Washington DC honoured him with an honorary doctorate, bestowing upon him the title of World Poet.
He received the Dasarathi Sahitya Puraskar from the Vamsi International Foundation in August 2015, the Dr. Ravuri Bharadwaja Literary Award from the Ravuri Kanthamma Trust in July 2015, the Suddala Hanuman–Janakamma National Award in October 2022, the Dasarathi Krishnamacharya Literary Award in 2024, and the Lok Nayak Award in the same year.
For his pivotal role in the Telangana movement, Ande Sri was awarded a cash prize of ₹1 crore during the Telangana Formation Day celebrations held at Parade Grounds, Secunderabad, on June 2, 2025 .
Though he is no longer among us, his presence was deeply felt at the 38th Hyderabad Book Fair, where his life and legacy were remembered with reverence. According to M. Kodandaram, Professor and former Member of Telangana Legislative Council
The fair welcomed nearly four lakh book lovers during its ten-day run from December 19 to December 29, celebrating not just books but the spirit of Telangana itself.
Honouring the Keepers of Words
The fair also honoured distinguished poets and literary voices such as Anishetti Rajita, Kompally Venkat Goud, Prof. Ramarao, and Swecha Votakar , acknowledging their contribution to Telugu literature and cultural consciousness.
A Library at the Cost of a Subscription
How much does it cost to build a small library at home? Perhaps no more than a yearly Netflix subscription. This was the powerful observation shared by Julapalli Krishna Rao , who pointed out that the price of fleeting digital entertainment could instead build a lifelong repository of knowledge through books that stay forever.
Books as Homes of the Mind
For women often told that they do not truly own a home caught between their parents’ houses and their in-laws’books offer a different kind of ownership. Through the writings of Kadali Satyanarayana , readers build imagined homes where freedom, dignity, and self-expression reside.
More Than Just Buying Books
Once the shopping bags are full, the fair still has much to offer. Children can participate in Balotsav , readers can meet their favourite authors, aspiring writers can find inspiration to begin their own journeys, and visitors can exchange stories about books that shaped their lives.
Though this year the fair is exclusive to Hyderabad, organisers assure that district-level book fairs will soon take this celebration of literature to every corner of Telangana.
Where Life Meets Literature
After hours of browsing, visitors can enjoy samosas, fries, and traditional Putharekulu , with food stalls located just steps away. First-aid facilities are readily available, ensuring comfort and safety for all.
Nearly 20 government stalls , including the Telugu Sahitya Academy, Government Public Libraries, T-SAT, and Telangana Tourism, connect literature with public outreach. Awareness programmes particularly against drug addiction are conveyed through powerful songs and performances.
The entire event is seamlessly organised under the guidance of Yakub , making the fair both welcoming and well-coordinated.
A Legacy Since 1985
The first Hyderabad Book Fair was held in 1985 at the City Central Library in Ashok Nagar, with only a handful of publishers. The overwhelming response from readers laid the foundation for what has now become one of India’s most cherished literary festivals.
Where Knowledge Still Breathes
In a world racing toward screens, the Hyderabad Book Fair stands as a quiet yet powerful reminder that knowledge still breathes between pages . Sometimes, all it takes to change a life is a single book chosen from a crowded stall.