Rayhanul Islam :
A large number of people from all walks of life swarmed into the Bangla Academy and Suhrawardy Udayan on Saturday, the 4th day of the Amar Ekushey Boi Mela. Continuing for only four days, the month long Boi Mela has already turned itself as a crowdy one like the past. The organizers are expecting Boi Mela to flourish as one of the greatest ever book festivals in the country. While visiting Boi Mela on Saturday, it can be seen that a number of book lovers gathered to buy books. Some of them came there with their family members and some with their friends. Most of them were teen aged.
With the first two hours from 11:00am to 1:00pm being dedicated to the childrens as children’s hour, their presence was remarkable in the morning. The number of other visitors of all ages also increased.
In the morning, children along with guardians gathered the stalls in the children’s corner, inside Suhrawardy Udyan.
The fair authorities banned general visitors during children hour so that children can buy books without facing any hassle. A guardian can accompany a child visitor.
Most of the children bought books based on comic characters and fairy tales. Dhaka University student Sabbir Hossain was rambling with his friends. He said, habitually we met at TSC everyday. Now, Boi mela is our new destination’.
Though visitors are gathering in the festive, the real buyers are yet to come to the Boi Mela. Shihab Bahadur, publisher of ‘Muktochinta’ said, ‘it only begins. Book lovers will gather soon to turn on to the festive’.
139 new books arrived yesterday and nine books were unvailed. Of them, Ahmed Sharif: Jibon O Karmo of Masud Rahman published by Kothaprokash, Fidel of Reza Ghotok published by Srabon publication, Tomar Bari Katodur of Saifullah Mahmud Dulal published by Annyaprokash, Chena Manush Ochena Valobasha of Khairul Islam published by Annyesha, Porobasher Rangin Manush of Moinus Sultan published by Utsho publication and Ekaturrer Ranangane of Rana Zaman published by Shirin publication.
On the day, the academy organized several discussions on different aspects of literature on different venue of Bangla academy. However, the four day long international literature festival concluded on Saturday while Bangla Academy held several discussions on different arenas of literature where laureate from different countriesparticipated.
Today the fair will begain at 3:00 pm and end at 9:00 pm. Various functions will be held on the Bangla Academy premises.
