South Asia’s Leading Publishing Conclave Celebrates Its 12th Year
The Jaipur BookMark 2025 (JBM), South Asia’s premier B2B platform for the publishing industry, marked its 12th year as an essential part of the iconic Jaipur Literature Festival. Running alongside the Festival from January 30 to February 3, this renowned event continues to be a driving force behind the growth, resilience, and innovation of the Indian and South Asian publishing sectors.
Over the past 12 years, Jaipur BookMark has evolved into a global hub, uniting publishers, literary agents, editors, writers, translators, and booksellers. As the heart of the book trade in South Asia, JBM facilitates business relationships, fosters collaboration, and sparks fresh, inventive ideas within the publishing ecosystem.



Key Moments from JBM 2025:
- Opening Reception: The reception set the stage with addresses from distinguished figures, including Ambassador of Norway to India, H.E. May-Elin Stener, JBM Director Manisha Chaudhry, Jaipur Literature Festival Co-Director Namita Gokhale, and Festival Producer Sanjoy K. Roy. The Royal Norwegian Embassy, a long-time partner of JBM, reaffirmed its support, with Ambassador Stener emphasizing the critical role of translations in the global publishing landscape.
- Keynote Address by A.R. Venkatachalapathy: Renowned historian A.R. Venkatachalapathy delivered a thought-provoking keynote, From Palmleaf to Pagemaker: A Biography of the Indian Book, tracing the journey of book culture in India—from traditional manuscripts to modern publishing. His passion for book history captivated attendees, shedding light on the evolution of the Indian book industry.
- Spotlight on Children’s Literature: One of the standout sessions, Green Shoots of Big Ideas: Writing for Children, featured Nobel Laureate Esther Duflo in conversation with Mandira Nayar. Duflo highlighted the need for children’s literature to reflect diverse childhood experiences while introducing complex economic concepts in a simple, accessible way.
- Celebrating Tamil Publishing: In a special session, A.R. Venkatachalapathy, Kannan Sundaram, and Mythili Sundaram engaged in a discussion with Neeta Gupta about the 30-year legacy of Kalachuvadu, the influential Tamil publishing house. Their conversation covered Kalachuvadu’s contributions, challenges, and lasting impact on Tamil literature and the wider publishing industry.
Jaipur BookMark 2025 reaffirmed its pivotal role in advancing the global publishing trade while fostering creativity, diversity, and collaboration. With its 12th edition, JBM continues to be a vital platform for discussions, connections, and the exchange of ideas, solidifying its status as South Asia’s foremost publishing conclave.