The recent ten-day Dasara Book Festival, held at the Scouts and Guides Grounds in Mysuru as part of the spirited Dasara 2025 celebrations, proved to be an overwhelming success, generating an impressive total of ₹96 lakh in book sales.
The primary organizer, the Kannada Book Authority, contributed ₹82,000 to this grand total through its sales. The vast majority of the revenue, a whopping ₹95.18 lakh, came from the collective efforts of various other participating publishers, esteemed academies, universities, and the Kendriya Sahitya Academy.
During a press briefing in Mysuru on Monday, Authority chairperson Manasa revealed that the exhibition proudly hosted 94 vibrant stalls, offering a diverse collection of literary works. The festival was officially inaugurated by Minister for Kannada and Culture, Shivaraj S. Tangadagi, who also unveiled ‘Booker Banu,’ a compelling book by B. Shivanand that explores the life and literary contributions of the renowned Booker Prize-winning author, Banu Mushtaq.
In an innovative move this year, organizers introduced a special chariot to boost public engagement and awareness about the Dasara book festival. Deputy Commissioner of Mysuru, Lakshmikant Reddy, ceremoniously flagged off the chariot from the iconic Kuvempu statue in Manasagangothri. This mobile promotion toured the city, playing a crucial role in attracting a larger crowd to the much-anticipated literary event, as highlighted by Mr. Manasa.
Adding another unique element, the festival also hosted dedicated book release events for the first time. Writers and publishers were invited to submit their works, and a discerning selection committee chose 28 books, which were officially launched during the Dasara Book Festival, enriching the literary experience for attendees.