The Brahmapur Mahanagar Pustak Mela 2015 kick-started here on Friday near the Old Bus Stand. Eminent writer Dr Bibhuti Pattnaik inaugurated the book fair.
Several literary and artistic figures were felicitated in the inaugural meeting. Utkal Sahitya Samaj president Dr Bijayananda Singh was conferred with the prestigious Mahanagar Pustak Mela 2015 award and Panchanan Sur with Chitrakala Samman. Rajya Bardhan Dhal Mahapatra and child Tabala artist Dipta Sundar Mahapatra were honoured with Kailash Sadangi Smruti Samman and Sishu Prativa Samman, respectively.
Even though the book fair is the core subject domain of librarianship, city-based librarians and the library and information scientists were not invited to the event, said a former university librarian.
Among others, MP Dr Prasanna Patsani graced the event as guest of honour.