Abir Rayhan
At least four hundred and twenty-four new books on poems landed during the first 16 days of the Boi-Mela. But this year’s sale of these books is not satisfactory, said the publishers.
Book-lovers in general search for the books of poets like Kazi Nazrul Islam, Rabindranath Tagore, Jibanananda Das and Ruddro Muhammad Shahidullah. The number of readers of classic poems is very poor, they said.
The publishers said that most of the book lovers who come to the Boi Mela are young. They search for novel, story, science fiction, historic books and books on travel, but do not respond to poems.
On the special days like Pahela Falgun and Valentine’s Day, the book lovers came to buy some books on romantic poems. But its number was not satisfactory, they said.
Ramshankar Debnath, Publisher of Bivash, told The New Nation that the poems of Rabindranath Tagore and Kazi Nazrul Islam have specific theme. Rabindranath Tagore wrote emphasizing the contemporary period and romanticism and Kazi Nazrul Islam wrote against the then British rule, oppression and inhumanity.
But now the writers who write poem have no theme and the writing is not rich. That is why the readers have lost their interest to buy the books on poem, Debnath said.
“I have read all the poems of Kazi Nazrul Islam, Rabindranath Tagore, Jibanananda Das, Shamsur Rahman and others noted poets’. I buy at least twenty to thirty books on different subjects from every year’s Boi Mela. But last five years I did not buy books on poem from Boi Mela as poems of new writers have no quality. They do not know what should be the perfect theme of poem,” Shahin Khondokar, a lecturer of Chittagong College said.
Meanwhile, B-Dwip books publishing stall has been sealed on charge of publishing controversial book titled ‘Islam Bitorka’. Police forfeited all the books from the stall and arrested publisher of B-Dwip Samsuzzoha Monir , printers copywrighter of Shabda Koli Fakir Taslim and Shamsul Alam younger brother of B-Dwip publisher. Police filed a case against them under Information and Technology Act.
‘We produced them in the court and asked for 7 days remand’, said DMP DC media Maruf Hossen Sarder.
On the 16th day of fair, 84 new books landed in the fair yesterday.
Of them, 15 Story, 7 Novel, 4 Article, 16 Poetry, 1 Child Literature, 1 Biography, 2 Liberation War, 1 Excursion, 1 History,1 Political, 2 Religious, 4 Science Fiction and 16 Miscellaneous.
Some of new books are Sroter Biporite of Eva Islam and Jol Josonar Chhobi of Snigdha Afsana Roshni published by Gyankosh Prokashoni, Noroker Pichash and Kishore Musa Rabin: Abar Rhosey of Rakib Hasan published by Kakoli Prokashoni, Golper Dali of Anisul Haque published by Eti Prokashoni and Khoborer Ferrywala of Amir ul Mo’minin Manik published by Jatiya Gronthokendra, among other books.
A discussion titled “Mahmud Nurul Huda Jonmo Shotobarshiky” was held at 4:00 pm in the main stage of Academy. Enamul Haque presided over the function while Sharosis Sarkar presented the keynote. Nehal Karim, Shamsuzzaman Nur and Hashem Sufi participated the discusson.
Later, a cultural function was held in the main stage of Academy.
At 4:00 pm a discussion titled ‘Shaokot Osman Jonmoshotobarshiki’ will be held today (Wednesday) in the main stage of Academy. Noted singer Selina Hossein will preside over the function while Professor Santunu Kawser will present the keynote. Moinul Ahsan Saber, Jakir Talukder, Nurul Karim Nasim and Joidul Hossen will participate as the discussants.
At evening, a fascinating cultural function will be held.
