Ekushey Book Fair
Light titles lead tally, serious books lag behind
Volumes of poetry, novels and story clinched the highest position in the tally of new books that arrived so far till the 18th day of the month-long Amar Ekushey Book Fair on Tuesday.
But serious books like volumes of essays and research-based publications witnessed a poor sale with their poor number among the new arrivals.A total of 396 collections of poetry hit the fair so far while 303 novels took the second position in the tally, followed by 223 story books out of 1608 new titles.
On the other hand, though the total collections of essays have reached to 110, only 26 titles on research and study have come to the fair.
Last year till the 18th day, only 25 research and study-based books and 118 collections of essays had arrived at the fair while 272 story books, 266 novels, 262 volumes of poetry hit the fair out of 1960 new arrivals.
Talking to New Age, publishers and stall attendants said more than 60 per cent of their collections had already been brought to the fair.
The novels and stories, beside children and juvenile literature and collection of poetry, are selling good, they said.
Depending on their type, stalls of some publishing books have been doing a brisk business while the serious book publishers got a poor response, publishers have said.
Jyoti proprietor Mazedul Hasan told New Age that collection of poetry were selling good as usual.
‘The visitors tend to buy novels and stories most,’ said Shabdashaili publisher Iftekhar Amin.
Sharaban publishing house proprietor Robin Ahsan said few people like to collect books, especially the serious ones.
However, the fair organiser Bangla Academy brought 65 collections of research and study-based collections but got a poor response from the visitors.
The academy sale assistant, Md Enamul Haq Sarker, said the dictionaries, particularly Bibartanmulak Bangla Abhidha, were selling like hot cakes.
Meanwhile, a total of 109 books hit the fair on the day and 10 more were unveiled at Nazrul Mancha. Books on poetry as usual with 31 titles led the day’s tally, followed by 16 novels and 14 story books.
The academy held a discussion on Khandakar Ashraf Hossain. Hasan Hafiz, Mostaque Ahmad Deen and Anu Hossen read out papers, while professor emeritus Sirajul Islam Chowdhury presided over the function.
Today, a seminar on the role of foreigners in the study of poet Nazrul Islam will be held in the afternoon. Poet Muhammad Nurul Huda will read out the keynote paper while Rafiqul Islam will chair the programme.
The fair is open from 3:00pm to 8:30pm all days but the weekends and holidays, when it remains open from 11:00am till 8:30pm with a break for two hours beginning at 1:00pm.
Courtesy of New Age
