New Delhi: Melodious strains of Russian folk music and the echo of literary giants like Tolstoy and Pushkin floated in the air on a chilly Saturday morning as nine days of literary feast began at the 18th World Book Fair here.

The spotlight is on Russian publishing and books as Russia has been anointed the guest of honour at the mega book fair at Pragati Maidan in which over 1,300 publishers from 23 countries are participating.

"There is a growing hunger for books everywhere. Books are men's best friend," said Human Resource Development Minister Arjun Singh in his inaugural address, which was read out by a senior official of the ministry. Singh was expected to inaugurate the event but could not come for the function.

Bilingual writer U.R. Ananthamurthy, the author of "Samskara", a contemporary classic depicting ironies of the caste system in India, who presided over the inaugural function, made a strong pitch for the culture of debate reviving the romance of books.

"There is a pleasure in disagreeing. All quarrelling authors are present at the book fair. It's a celebration of quarrel, criticism and debate," he said.

Ananthamurthy also made an impassioned plea to the government to treat all languages, including tribal languages, as equal. "India is a natural home for books. The government should treat all languages as equal. Who knows a Homer may be born in a tribal language?" he said.

Fiercely opposing the banning of books under the pressure of religious zealots, he said: "There are increasing demands for books to be banned. But this goes against the culture of criticism and debate."

The highlights of this year's book fair include an International Rights Exhibition on Mahatma Gandhi and special pavilions for children and youth.

Although 23 countries, including Iran, Pakistan, Germany, Ireland and Norway, are participating at the book fair this year, Russia is easily the scene-stealer with an entire hall showcasing classics as well as contemporary Russian literature.

Books on science and technology - Russia's proven forte - are also displayed in the Russia Hall where folk musicians and flute players welcome the visitor.

"Russian publishing has more than doubled in the last decade. Russia has been concentrating on itself all these years. Russian publishers are now trying to reach out," said Vladimir V. Grigoriev, a senior executive with Russia's Federal Agency of Press and Mass Communications.

"We would like to introduce a new generation of Russian writers to India," he said.

"The idea is to marry business and culture. Russian publishing industry is growing," said Mikhail Seslavinskyi, head of the Federal Agency for Press and Mass Communications.

"India will be a guest of honour at the Moscow International Book Fair in 2009 which will be the year of India in Russia," he said.

"We hope to renew and revive our old relationship," said Nuzhat Hussain of the National Book Trust.

The Russia hall has some rare gems for book lovers.

Yaroslav Kostyuk, an ace book collector, is displaying his collection of miniature books measuring from one centimetre to a few inches.

The publishing industry in Russia is booming with total revenues estimated to be anything between $4-8 billion.

Eminent Russian writers like Eduard Uspensky, Sergey Chuprinin, Mikhail Veller and Yuri Polyakov will participate in different seminars and discussions at the fair.

Quizzes, drawing competitions, concerts of Russian folk instruments ensemble, Russian craftsmen, national costumes and painting competitions have been melded into a composite show that is set to rekindle interest in Russian art and literature in India.

The Russian exposition also includes a demonstration in space travel by Russian cosmonaut Anatoly Berezovoy. IANS