From 16–18 January I had the privilege of attending the fourth Chennai International Book Fair (CIBF) as one of the international publishing fellows invited from over 100 countries.
Capital of the prosperous southern state of Tamil Nadu, Chennai represents India's fourth-largest urban agglomeration with a population around 9 million. The city is a hub for a host of manufacturing and creative industries, with a proud cultural tradition.
The Tamil Nadu state government is throwing its weight behind books and culture at a time when many governments in other places are turning away from support for the arts, reading and free debate.
That enlightened approach – summarised in this year's theme 'A Conversation Between Civilisations' – has led to the CIBF fast becoming a vibrant hub for rights and cultural exchange in just four years.
At this year's instalment I was able to meet with publishers, agents, writers, translators and consultants from across Tamil Nadu, other parts of India, and around the world.
Together we had several dozen formal meetings over three days, interspersed by the many networking opportunities that a fellowship affords.
Of special import was advancing our Māori translation of the classic of Tamil literature, The Thirukkural, which will publish under Oratia's Five Oceans imprint mid-2026 in close collaboration with Chennai-based Kelir Books and the Tamil community of Aotearoa.
The Māori translation by University of Waikato lecturer Ngairo Eruera has been edited by New Zealand-based editor and community organiser Peniel Prabhakaran.
That included showing an uncorrected proof of the book to Tamil Nadu School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi and , and valuable discussion with American translator and poet Thomas Hitoshi Pruiksma, whose superb English translation forms the bridge between Tamil and Māori in our edition.
Most valuable also the reconnection with Dr Sankara Saravanan and Peer Mohamed Azees of the Tamil Nadu Texbook and Educational Services Corporation, which has licensed the publication of this modern translation of the sixth-century work by Thiruvalluvar.
It was encouraging to see the response to work by Oratia authors from science and history writer Matthew Wright to Kiwi-Indian children's author Renisa Maki.
Numerous performances, panels and cultural presentations punctuated meetings at the Rights Hub, along with the superb cuisine on offer.
Now begins the work of sharing information and reading copies as we work to sell rights and reach new readers in India and beyond.
Maria and I extend our sincere thanks to the fair organisers and all those in Chennai for their hospitality, generosity and commitment to bringing Tamil to the world and the world to Tamil.
With further commitments to literary funding announced by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin at the fair's closing ceremony, the future looks bring for the CIBF and the reading culture of southern India.
Peter Dowling, Publisher
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