Like the previous book fairs, this year young writers and their followers are gathering daily at the Little Magazine Chattar at the Amar Ekushey book fair especially after the dusk.
Little magazines often run innovative or experimental works were also among the top choice of visitors.
Little magazines are usually published for reviews, essays, fiction, or poetry or some combination of the literary items.
A good number of magazines published from Dhaka, Narayanganj, Moulvibazar, Mymensingh, Tangail, Bogra, Sathkhira, Chittagong were in display and experiencing a good sale after succeeding to grab attention of readers of all ages.
Bangla Academy authorities have allocated space to set up 30 stalls for displaying the little magazines available in the country.
Stalls displayed little magazines appearing weekly, fortnightly, monthly, quarterly and annually carrying various types of write-ups including poems, stories, novels and articles supposedly devoted to high literary standards.
However, editors and writers of the magazines expressed their frustration as the quality of the writings was going down for last few years.
Obayed Akash, the editor of little magazine Shaluk, and poet Tokon Thakur alleged that lack of young generation’s dedication and commitment to little magazines was the main reason behind the quality fall.
‘Aggression of corporate media also another reason of the quality fall’ added Tokon Thakur.
Little magazine term was coined by the some young writers who want to have alternative platform in place of main stream and also helping new writers.
Shahin bin Hye, a physician, said he used to buy a large number of little magazines since his childhood.
About 30 stalls of little magazines, including Shuddhaswar, Shaluk, Batighar, Chhotader Shatitya, Scarecrow, Megh, Lamppost, Dar Kak, Shampratik, Gram Theatre, Chal Chitra, and Nisharga, were set up in the fair ground.
The Bangla Academy will distribute prizes among the winners of competitions on the occasion of Ekushey February on general knowledge, music and others at the main stage of the book fair today.
According to the fair information centre, 62 new titles hit the stalls on the day, while 53 new titles were launched at the Nazrul Mancha, the highest so far in this fair.
Poetry books led the tally of the new arrivals with 13 collections, followed by eight collections of stories, seven novels collection and five essays and others on the day.
The academy today is scheduled to hold seminars titled ‘Manabadikhar, Manabatabad: Rabindra-nath, Einstein o Roma Rolla Ebang Akal’ and ‘Upanibeshbad, Uttar Upanabishbad o Rabindranath.’
Anik Mahmud and Masuduzzaman will read out keynote papers while Sulatana Kamal, Kamal Chowdhury and Abdul Wahab will take part in the discussion.
Aminul Islam will preside over the programme which will be followed by cultural programmes.
Courtesy of New Age
