Offerings from Daily Star Books
Ekushey book fair yesterday saw an impressive turnout at Bangla Academy and Suhrawardy Udyan premises ahead of February 21, International Mother Language Day.
Among the record number of 499 publishers participating this year, Daily Star Books -- the books wing of the daily -- has published four new books at the fair this year, according to sources.
“We wish to introduce Bangla literature to English readers the world over through excellent translations and provide a solid platform for promising Bangladeshi authors writing in English,” said poet Emran Mahfuz, coordinator of Daily Star Books.
A good number of visitors were seen busy browsing and buying books at Daily Star Books' stall (stall 254-55), at the eastern edge of the pond in Suhrawardy Udyan.
“I love to read history and biographies, and I think this stall has a good collection,” said Mamunur Rashid, a master's student of Dhaka University's History department.
He bought a book, titled “Abul Mansur Ahmad-er Jibon Darshan o Srijon Bhubon”, by Dr Md Genghis Khan.
According to the website (http://books.thedailystar.net/) of the publication, the book contains various aspects of writing and philosophy of the prominent Bangladeshi writer, politician, journalist and lawyer Abul Mansur Ahmad (1898–1979).
Ahmad wrote 20 books, and newspapers also published many articles by him. His ventures in various branches of literature -- including short stories, novels, autobiographies, essays and translations -- enriched Bangla literature.
Another new book, titled “Abul Mansur Ahmad-er Prashongikota”, by Emran Mahfuz is also available at the stall.
Daily Star Books also published “Bangladesh Style of Citation of Legal Authorities” collaboratively edited by Md Rizwanul Islam, Nauriin Ahmed and K Shamsuddin Mahmood.
“This is the first citation guide for legal scholars, students, and the legal community in Bangladesh,” said Emran.
He said the guide includes citation style of cases, statutes, government documents, treaties, scholarly writings etc. and aims to introduce a uniform and streamlined referencing style for the legal community in the country.
An essay, titled “Bangali Musolman-er Buddhibrittik Bibhrom o Biswasheenota” by Syed Abul Maksud is also seeing good sales, said Mehedi, an attendant at the stall.
“The book contains articles based on research work on art, culture and politics of post-colonial East Bengal,” he added.
Apart from these, the stall is showcasing a total of 42 books at the fair. Of them, 10 are in Bangla and 32 in English.
“Young booklovers, academicians and researchers buy our books as per their belief that Daily Star Books provides objective information,” said the stall attendants.
Meanwhile, a total of 142 books arrived at the fair yesterday.