The 47th edition of the Chennai Book Fair faced a setback on its first weekend as heavy rain discouraged many book enthusiasts from attending. Despite the presence of 900 book stalls organized by the Booksellers and Publishers Association of South India (BAPASI), the usual Sunday crowd was notably absent. Booksellers, anticipating increased sales, expressed disappointment as families chose to stay away due to inclement weather.
Even stalls focusing on niche genres, such as Thirunangai Press LLP’s queer literature collection, experienced slow business. The fair, a cultural event eagerly awaited by Chennai’s literary community, hopes for a rebound in attendance as the Pongal festival weekend approaches, with organizers planning to improve ground conditions affected by the rain.