Sunil to be recalled at 37th Int'l Kolkata Book Fair

Bangladesh will be the theme of the 37th edition of the International Kolkata Book Fair which is expected to feature a number of programmes to bring alive the memories of noted Bengali writer Sunil Gangopadhyay who died last week.
The fair, to be held from January 29, 2013 to February 10, is likely to see an award and a lecture named after Gangopadhyay. The lecture is expected to be delivered by internationally known Indian writer Vikram Seth, Tridib Chatterjee, secretary, Publishers and Book Sellers Guild (organisers of the fair), told The Daily Star from Kolkata.
“We are planning a number of programmes to remember Sunil in the forthcoming book fair to ensure that his memories are brought alive although his physical presence will be missing,” he said.
Chatterjee said a pavilion at the book fair will be named after Sunil, who had been not only associated with the fair since its inception in 1976 but had also acted as a bridge between Bangladesh and West Bengal. Sunil Gangopadhyay was born in Faridpur, Bangladesh.
A six-member panel of eminent authors who were also close personal friends of Sunil -- three each of India and Bangladesh -- will be set up to draw up programmes to remember the late writer at the book fair, he said.
According to Chatterjee, a number of leading writers from Bangladesh are expected to be present at the coming fair.
Recalling the close association that Sunil Gangopadhyay had with the book fair, Chatterjee said it is difficult to believe that he will not be present at the upcoming event.
“Since its inception in 1976, Sunil-da was closely associated with the Kolkata Book Fair. He was a regular at the event, participating in the discussions and seminars and offering us valuable advice,” he added. Sunil Gangopadhyay also played an important role in organising the Kolkata Literary Meet, inaugurating its first edition in 2011, he said.