Chennai is gearing up to host one of South India’s biggest literary festivals, as the annual Chennai Book Fair is set to begin on January 8 at the YMCA Grounds. Chief Minister M. K. Stalin will inaugurate the event, which will run till January 21. The fair is expected to attract lakhs of visitors, including students, writers, publishers, and book lovers from across the state.During the inaugural ceremony, the Chief Minister will also present the prestigious Kalaignar Porkizhi Awards for 2026, which recognize outstanding contributions to Tamil literature. This year’s awardees include Sukumaran for Poetry, Aadhavan Deetchanya for Short Story, and R. Murugan for Novel. The awards aim to honour literary excellence and continue the tradition of celebrating Tamil creativity.
The Chennai Book Fair will host hundreds of publishers and thousands of books across genres, ranging from literature and history to science, education, and children’s books. The event will also include cultural programs, author interactions, reading sessions, and literary discussions. With its vibrant atmosphere and rich literary offerings, the fair remains one of the most important cultural events in Chennai’s calendar every year.