Mangaluru-based cultural organization Rangasangathi Samskrithika Prathishtana is redefining February 14 by introducing ‘Book Lovers’ Day’, an initiative promoting reading and intellectual growth instead of blindly following Western customs. This event, set to take place at Kudumal Ranga Rao Town Hall, will witness the unveiling of ten books in Kannada and English.
According to convener Shashiraj Kavoor, the day-long program will nurture knowledge, encourage literary appreciation, and honor the wisdom of great thinkers. To engage students, a drawing competition will be held for different age groups with themes like rural life, book fairs, and the significance of reading. An open category will explore the contrast between mobile screens and books.
“We are not against Valentine’s Day, but over time, its celebrations have led to certain unpleasant incidents. Instead, we wish to foster love for literature,” said Kavoor. Last year, a smaller event laid the foundation for this idea, coinciding with the launch of his books, Parashurama and Chhatrapati Shivaji.
The event will feature discounted book stalls, and an online campaign (#BookLoversDay) has already sparked enthusiasm. Kavoor highlighted that publishing remains a challenge for budding authors, making this a valuable platform for new releases, including works by Dr. Vishwanath Badikana, Bhaskar Rai Kukkuvalli, Akshatha Raj Perla, and others.
Encouraging a shift from fleeting expressions of love to lifelong learning, this initiative aims to blend tradition with knowledge.
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