More youngsters are turning to physical books from ebooks, audiobooks: Malayalam novelist M Mukundan
TNN | Jan 4, 2025, 05.48 PM IST
CHENNAI: There is a growing trend among youngsters to buy and read physical books in this age of social media, ebooks and audiobooks, feels Malayalam novelist M Mukundan. “Earlier, we were concerned about the future of books as only aged and middle-aged people were reading books after the emergence of social media. But many young people buy and read books these days. I have seen this trend in literary festivals and book exhibitions in Bengaluru, Kozhikode and elsewhere,” Mukundan said on Saturday.
He was speaking after inaugurating some exhibitions being held as part of the Malayali Markazhi Maholsavam in Chennai.
Mukundan said this trend was not just in Malayalam. “It is there across the world as more and more people have started to return to physical books from ebooks and audiobooks. Surveys revealed that people want to touch the book, feel it, experience it, smell it and kiss it while they read. Ebooks and audiobooks won’t give that opportunity,” he said.
The author of “Mayyazhippuzhayude Theerangalil” said there was no basis in saying that there was no time to read books. “We formed our past by reading books. We should form our future by reading books. People like Obama, Bill Gates and Manmohan Singh found time to read books. So, everyone can easily set aside some time to read books daily,” he said.
The exhibitions Mukundan inaugurated included a Malayalam film photo exhibition being conducted with the support of the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy. Old household tools, woven images and books are also exhibited in different pavilions.
The festival, being held at Asan Memorial School in Thousand Lights, will conclude on Sunday.
He was speaking after inaugurating some exhibitions being held as part of the Malayali Markazhi Maholsavam in Chennai.
Mukundan said this trend was not just in Malayalam. “It is there across the world as more and more people have started to return to physical books from ebooks and audiobooks. Surveys revealed that people want to touch the book, feel it, experience it, smell it and kiss it while they read. Ebooks and audiobooks won’t give that opportunity,” he said.
The author of “Mayyazhippuzhayude Theerangalil” said there was no basis in saying that there was no time to read books. “We formed our past by reading books. We should form our future by reading books. People like Obama, Bill Gates and Manmohan Singh found time to read books. So, everyone can easily set aside some time to read books daily,” he said.
The exhibitions Mukundan inaugurated included a Malayalam film photo exhibition being conducted with the support of the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy. Old household tools, woven images and books are also exhibited in different pavilions.
The festival, being held at Asan Memorial School in Thousand Lights, will conclude on Sunday.