Our Vision
India’s only permanent book fair
BAPASI runs the only permanent book fair dedicated solely to books anywhere in India — a legacy we intend to carry forward for generations, keeping South India’s reading culture alive and thriving.
About Us
Half a Century of Literary Excellence
BAPASI — the Book Sellers and Publishers Association of South India — was founded on 24th August 1976 through the efforts of Mr. Mathew of B.I. Publishers, uniting publishers and booksellers under one federation. What began as a small gathering has grown into an association of 489 members working across Tamil, other South Indian languages, and English, united by a shared commitment to spreading reading habits and creating community awareness across South India.
Why BAPASI?
We host the annual Chennai Book Fair to spread reading habits among people and create community awareness — bringing together prominent speakers, authors, and social advocates to discuss ideas that matter. Alongside the fair, we conduct speaking and essay competitions for school and college students to encourage reading, awarding books and certificates to every participant.
Our Mission
489 members, one purpose
To represent and support publishers and booksellers across South India, encourage reading through fairs, competitions, and outreach, and uphold fair trade practices across the languages we publish in — Tamil, other South Indian languages, and English.
Our Awards & Recognition
Every year at the Chennai Book Fair, BAPASI honours excellence in publishing and bookselling with the Muthamizh Arignar Kalanidhi M. Karunanidhi Golden Conch Award, the Publishing Excellence K. Ganapathy Award, the Best Book Seller Award, and the Children’s Literature Award — recognising the individuals and institutions who keep South India’s reading culture thriving.
A Journey Spanning Five Decades
What began as a modest book fair at a school on Anna Salai grew into a 28-year home at Qaide Millat Government Women’s College grounds — and today runs every year in Chennai, Madurai, and Coimbatore. 41 years in Chennai, 12 in Madurai, and 4 in Coimbatore: India’s only permanent book fair, still growing.