Most of the readers who come to the fair have a special interest in new books. They look forward to picking up a new book by their favorite author or subject. So, soon after printing and binding, the publishers arranged the stalls of new books more or less. During the fair, there is a war with time in the work of the press.
Yesterday was the third day of Ekushey Book Fair. Despite being a holiday, the fair did not have as many visitors as expected in the afternoon. But later in the evening, some confusion has been seen in the stalls. Children were present in the morning as there was a baby watch yesterday.
New books have already started to appear in the stalls. However, this time the rate of publication of new books will be quite low, it has already been known. It has been reported from some publications that they are not bringing any new books to this fair.
University Press Limited has brought some new books this time. These include a translation of Ali Riaz’s ‘Crisis Journey: Challenges of Bangladesh’s Transition to Democracy’. Translated by Mohammad Sajjadur Rahman. There is more. Historical book titled ‘Banglar Kaman’ written by Abul Hashem Mia.
Iftekhar Shafin, who works at UPL’s stall, said that their participation was decided at the end of the fair, so no separate issue was given importance.
Vishwa Sahitya Bhaban has brought out the travel book ‘Pather Parashe Jivan’. Humayun Kabir, a retired serviceman, traveled abroad. The memoirs, stories and travel stories of his travels have appeared in the book. The institution has also brought Hamidul Alam Sakha’s book of poetry ‘Smriti Janda Tona’.
Vishwa Sahitya Bhaban could not print many new books due to changing the time of the fair. Even then, some books on novels, poetry, research will be brought, said activist Kawsar.
Chandravati Academy will bring some story books for children this time. However, none of them came to the fair until yesterday.
Anupam Prakashani has brought out several new books. These include Muhammad Zafar Iqbal’s science-based book ‘Exoplanets’. Exoplanets are planets that have some features like Earth in distant space. Apart from this, Anupam has brought collections of supernatural stories by Sharadindu Chatterjee and Rabindranath Tagore, novels by Zaheer Raihan.
Anupam’s manager. Shaheen said, ’30-35 new books are available in this fair. Of these, 28 books have come out.’
Granthik Prakashani will bring 5 new books. One of these is ‘History and Essay on Pakistan Movement, Liberation War and July Uprising’ by Sahul Ahmad.
The book ‘Amar Gaye Je Din’ written by Noore Alam Siddiqui, a once prominent student leader and one of the organizers of the Liberation War, is published by Gyanakosh Publications. Narrations of important events in Bangladesh politics can be found through memoir writing. This time the encyclopedia is bringing about 10 books on various subjects including fiction, politics, thrillers.
Kathaprakash has brought several books this time. Manager Mohammad Yunus said, ‘The sales are going better than I thought. Now that could also be due to the location of our stall. We are bringing 70-80 books this time. In this book of Kathaprakash, Md. Safiqul Islam’s ‘Akshay Kumar Maitreya Bengalar Itihasa Prachakar Pathikrit’ and Afsana Begum’s book ‘Jump and the Other Stories’ by Nobel laureate Nadine Gordimer.
Prothama Prakashan has brought out several books on biography, liberation war, essays, research, novels, stories etc. on the occasion of this book fair. These include Sanjeeda Khatun’s father-centered memoir ‘Amar Baba Kazi Motahar Hossain’, Abul Kalam Mohammad Zakaria’s book ‘Bangladesh Pratnasampad’ on Bangladesh’s archaeological sites, Nowsher Ali Khan Yusufji’s ‘Bungiya Musalman’ edited and edited by Morshed Shafiul Hasan.
However, many publishers are unable to bring new books to the fair this time. Due to the long uncertainty about the date and the hasty late attendance in many cases, it was not possible to bring in new books. Billal Hossain, assistant manager of Charulipi Prakashan said, ‘Our new book will not come to the fair. The new book was planned after Eid.’
Similar words were heard from Kakali and Akshar publications. According to the announcement, 38 new books arrived at the fair yesterday
Other arrangements
At 10:30 am, the preliminary selection phase of the children’s music competition was held at the book fair premises. The final episode will be held on March 7.
At 3 pm, a discussion program titled ‘Remembrance: Ahmad Rafiq’ was held at the main stage of the book fair. Ismail Saadi presented the article. Mustafa Tariqul Ahsan participated in the discussion. Prof. Mansoor Musa presided.
Ismail Sadi said in the article, Ahmad Rafiq spent most of his life in the development of language and literature of Bangladesh. In the final phase of the language movement in 1952, he played the role of organizer.
Professor Mansoor Musa said, Ahmad Rafique was not only a language fighter, he was also a life fighter. He has struggled throughout his life to improve people’s lives.
Essayist, researcher Ahmad Mazhar discussed his book in the ‘Lekhak Sayyah’ event. Kazi Bushra Ahmed Tithi, Ishrat Shiuli, Jannatul Ferdous Mukta and Nasim Ahmed performed poetry recitation in the cultural program at 4 pm. Music was performed by artists Salauddin Ahmed, Shaheed Kabir Palash, Yakub Ali Khan, Nandita Mandal, Aparna Majumder, Nusrat Jahan Zerin and Md. Zakir Hossain Akher.
Today, Sunday, the fair will start at 2 pm and end at 9 pm. A discussion program titled ‘Smaran: Hamiduzzaman Khan’ will be held at the main stage of the book fair at 3 pm. Nasimul Khabir will present the article. Ivy Zaman will participate in the discussion. Lalarukh Salim will preside.
