Chinese prints, tea charm Indians at New Delhi book fair

Close to the entrance of China's pavilion at the New Delhi World Book Fair, visitors gathered to watch an ancient printing technique and publishing culture.

Li Ying was busy smearing red ink on an engraved sandal woodblock. Hurriedly she lifted a leaf of ivory-colored rice paper (xuanzhi) from a ream of sheets and adjusted it over the block. Once satisfied, she picked up a roller and gently pressed the paper to allow the inscriptions to be cast on it. She lifted the paper to reveal a freshly printed image of Buddha with his disciples.

Li handed it over to the visitors and encouraged the inquisitive ones to try their hands on somewhat smaller blocks. While she took out prints from her block, she kept instructing those replicating the technique.