Soi mela-Boi mela
Beginning from December 11th, for three days the grounds of Rabindra Sadan in Kolkata has been the venue of Soi mela, a book fair specifically targeting women. Organised by author Nabaneeta Dev Sen, this book fair of women’s writings was conceived after the author met women writers in a project which involved travelling to different cities in India. When the time came to say goodbye, the writers felt they should meet again. So a forum was set up to enable all women writers to interact.
In only its second year, Soi mela has garnered support from publishers and readers. Held on a much larger scale this year, the event has attracted participants from publishing houses based outside Kolkata, like Zubaan and The Little Magazine. Besides, the women studies department of Calcutta and Jadavpur universities, NGOs like Sappho, Sanlaap and Durbar, West Bengal women’s commission, Sahitya Academy, Pashchim Banga Academy and Publishers and Booksellers Guild also participated. Meanwhile, besides attracting noted writers from the east such as Temsula Ao, Nirupama Barogohai, Meenakshi Sen and Pratibha Rai, amateur, lesser-known women writers who were given a platform to read out some of their writings.
Primarily established to spread awareness about women’s issues and writings, Soi mela is still in its early stages. However, with enough support, the organizers are ambitious in their plans. They want to hold the fair in other cities such as the metros. This will only mean good times for all concerned.