Indian epics, mythology captivate young readers at Delhi Book Fair

Anshita Mehra

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 9

The ongoing Delhi Book Fair is witnessing a remarkable resurgence in the popularity of Hindu mythology and Indian epics, with publishers reporting a significant uptick in interest, especially among the youth.

Surge in sale of mythological books

There is a high surge in sales of mythological books. It’s not just limited to fiction; people are reading more

of the Bhagavad Gita, Mahabharata, Puranas and even the Sunderkand. — Pankaj, A sales executive

Under the theme “Global Influence of Indian Books”, the fair showcases a diverse collection of mythological fiction and spiritual literature that has captivated the attention of young readers, many of whom are eager to explore the rich tapestry of India’s ancient narratives.

Pankaj, a sales executive at Rupa Publications, shared insights into the growing demand for mythological fiction, particularly those that shed light on lesser-known characters from Indian epics. “There’s an author we publish, Kavita Kane, who writes mythological fiction, focusing especially on the women characters of the epics. All her books are bestsellers,” he said.

“Her first book, Karna’s Wife, introduced readers to characters they might not have known much about. Following its success, there has been a surge in similar themes, with more authors exploring the untold stories of figures like Ganga and Draupadi,” he added.

Beyond fiction, there’s also a noticeable increase in the readership of classical texts like the Bhagavad Gita, Mahabharata and other sacred writings. Pankaj observed, “Overall, there is a high surge in sales of mythological books. It’s not just limited to fiction; people are reading more of the Bhagavad Gita, Mahabharata, Puranas and even the Sunderkand and Chalisas. People who once only engaged with the Bhagavad Gita and Ramayana are now broadening their interests to other mythological texts, driven by a curiosity to learn more about the mythological history of our country.”

Echoing this trend, Pappu Solanki, a sales representative from Jaico Publishing House, highlighted the popularity of spiritual author Eknath Easwaran’s works. “Easwaran’s books, like Essence of the Bhagavad Gita, The Upanishads and Bhagavad Gita for Daily Living, are particularly popular among our readers. These texts, which bridge the gap between ancient wisdom and contemporary spirituality, resonate with readers who are seeking a deeper understanding of Hinduism’s central religious concepts,” Solanki said.

Solanki also observed a growing interest in stories centred around deities and mythological figures. “Books on Krishna, Ganesha and other Gods are in high demand. People even request stories about Radha and Rukmini — characters they may know by name but want to explore more deeply,” he added.

In addition to offerings for adult readers, the fair also caters to younger audiences.

The brand ‘My Nachiketa’ has introduced a series of books for toddlers and young children, presenting lessons from the Gita in an accessible format. “These books are designed to instil the principles of Hindu philosophy in children from an early age,” said a representative from the brand.

The Gita Press Gorakhpur stall, known for its dedication to promoting Sanatana Dharma, also drew significant attention. Jaiprakash Pathak, a sales executive at Gita Press, shared his observations: “A lot of youth come to our stall showing interest in epics and religious books. There’s no particular reason that can explain this sudden interest — perhaps it’s just a natural curiosity and a desire to reconnect with the wisdom of the past.”

Readers at the fair also expressed their growing fascination with mythology. Shalini, a college student, recounted how an academic assignment sparked her interest in these ancient texts. “Last year in college, we had to read a book on the learnings of the Bhagavad Gita. Since then, I’ve developed an interest in mythological books,” she said.

“It started with Bhagavad Gita for Daily Living, and from there, I became more intrigued by the Mahabharata. Watching the show online further fuelled my curiosity, and now I’m eager to understand the reasons behind the events in these epics,” she added.

Another young reader, Prithvi, shared how a chance encounter with a popular mythological novel led him down a similar path. “My interest in mythological books was pretty random,” he admitted. “One day, I came across Palace of Illusions by Chitra Banerjee, which is about Draupadi. While I already knew about her from watching the Mahabharata on TV, her history and story were unknown to me. Since reading that, I’ve started exploring more about these characters and developed a deeper interest in the lesser-known figures from our epics,” he added.