Festivity all around

It rained on Monday. As a result, both the venues of the Amar Ekushey Granthamela were a bit muddy.

But that could not dampen the spirit of the bookworms. People of all ages thronged the book fair yesterday to satiate their literary cravings and went home happy heaped with books.

The publishers were upbeat too as the sales were high.

And the festivity continued throughout the day.

With only one day left till the curtain drops on this year's Ekushey book fair, there was a sense of bittersweet contentment amid the booklovers. But it was also filled with optimism as the book fair would return soon.

“I feel happy and sad at the same time. The month went by so quick,” said Tania Ahmed. “I've already visited this year's book fair a couple of times with my friends.”

The private university student was talking to this correspondent at Suhrawardy Udyan yesterday. She bought books written by Ahmed Sofa from Khan Brothers and Company.

Mahbub Alam, a private job holder, said, “The rain cooled down the temperature. My daughter wanted to buy more books so I brought her along.”

His daughter, Maesha Samia, was all smiles as she showed this correspondent the pile of books she bought. “Humayun Ahmed is still my favourite,” said the student of Viqarunnisa Noon School and College.

“I was afraid that my father won't be able to bring me here as he was busy with work. But finally he did. I plan to visit all the stalls…,” she said smilingly.

The fair grounds were also abuzz with children's chatter buying books on their favourite “Sisimpur” characters and comics.

Their parents were also seen buying old favourites and books written by new writers.

Shadeet, a law student at a private university, was hurriedly walking towards the stall of Seba Prokashoni. “I just bought a collection of Misir Ali by Humayun Ahmed. Now, I have to go to the Seba stall to buy some 'westerns' for my friends.”

His mother, Nasreen Ahmed, was busy too. She was looking for Bangla classics.

Visitors were also in for a treat as quite a few of their favourite writers were greeting them at stalls.

Meanwhile, a handful of booklovers were not only taking autographs of cartoonist Ahsan Habib, many were capturing the moment by taking selfies.

The book fair is also a perfect opportunity for new writers to reach a larger audience, said Mashawfi Amin. Her new novel “Bicched”, published by Kakali Prokasoni, is generating positive reviews.

“Today [yesterday] I've come to visit not as a writer but a visitor,” she said smilingly. The writer came to the book fair with her husband.

Her husband, Mahmudunnabi, an army official, expressed satisfaction at the overall arrangement. He bought a book titled, “1971 Resistance, Resilience and Redemption” by Maj Gen Md Sarwar Hossain from Mawla Brothers. “Our son suggested buying this book,” he said.

Meanwhile, publishers were also happy as the sale saw a rise in the last couple of days. They said they were not demoralised by the rain.

“This year, we have taken extra precautions. We used a tin cover over the roof of our stall… So, rain could not damage any book,” said Md Tofazzol Hossain, publisher of Biswasahitya Bhaban.

However, there were few stalls where some of the books got wet due to the Monday's rain. One such is Prokriti publication.

“Only a handful of books got wet due to the rain. We dried them in the sun and continued attending visitors today,” said an optimistic, Saching Prue Marma, of the stall.

Meanwhile, the translation of “In the Light of What You Know” by Shibbroto Barman was drawing readers' attention at Pathak Samabesh. Besides, a collection of writings by Aroj Ali Matubbar, a self-taught and rationalist philosopher, was much-sought after at the pavilion.

Yesterday, 202 new books hit the fair. A poetry book titled, “Apon Porer Dolachol”, by Asim Kumar Das is available at Jayati publication.   

DAILY STAR BOOKS

Books on the Liberation War continued to attract the readers at Daily Star Books.

Among the books the stall is showcasing, “Kishor Muktijoddha” by Mostafa Hossain, “Sangrami Nari 52 o 71 (interview)” edited by Bashar Khan, “1971” by Tarasankar Bandyopadhyay and “A Golden Age” by Tahmima Anam were the popular choice.

“I like to read about the history of the Liberation War. I believe every one should learn as much as they can about our glorious history,” said Subah, a Dhaka University student. She bought “Sangrami Nari 52 o 71”.