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Books

Writing Today

Elita Karim

Foyez Reza's 'Khak Khak Kore Kaak Ghure Ey Shohore' is a Mouli Prokashoni publication. Filled with childlike rhymes and sketches, this book has been well accepted by children and the young readers in the city. In fact, even the size of the book gives an impression of a child's bedtime story book or a book of poems that one can carry to school. In spite of all this, the poems still seem to reflect the innocent questions that Foyez Reza must have wondered as a child, and still does. Launched in February 2008, Reza's naïve scribbles reflect his thoughts about the 'big' people in power, the depressing state of the city, the role of the army and much more.

One of Foyez Reza's excellent works yet was published very recently in April 2008. Published by Balaka, 'Nishidho Alpiner Chora' is a compilation of Reza's poems that were published in Alpin, a weekly publication of the Prothom Alo that was banned a few months ago. His preface to the book practically screams out the frustrations and the anger that many around him share, but are unable to express. Because of lack of publicity, the news of this publication had not reached readers.

'Chup Beyadob', published by Annesha in February 2007, is a compilation of socio-political poems by Anik Khan, which had been published in Unmad, Prothom Alo's Alpin, Shaptahik Bichitra, Bashbhumi.com, Bhorer Kagoj's Rongbank, Songbad's Adda, Banglar Bani's Rong Rani and other online publications as well. Coloured with a tinge of humour, the poems speak the sad truth of the current social and political situation in the country. Witty and satirical at the same time, many of the poems start off showcasing the cruel reality of life however ending on a more optimistic note.

On a more fun side, Anik Khan returns with his 'SMS Kabbyo' in February this year. Titled 'Bhalobashay Doctorate', this Annesha publication has been selling like hot cakes ever since it hit the stands during the Ekushey Boi Mela 2008. Bound in pink, this pocket size book of love poems has a variety of heart-wrenching lines that can be text messaged to your loved ones.

One of the most recent additions to the young, new and talented is writer Opala Haider. Studying in the Anthropology Department in Dhaka University, her first published work, 'Punrabrithi', came out in February 2007. An Annesha publication, the book is a set of short stories based on the thoughts and experiences she has had during her academic field work and research activities. Many of the stories talk about the sensitivity of the youth in this country, an attempt to analyse the relationship between a mother and her children, discovering the ugly side of reality and much more.

Many young writers look for inspiration close by. In the case of her latest publication, 'Ebong Fieldwork', Opala did not have to go too far looking for inspiration either. The story of her first novel is based on the life of five university friends studying in Dhaka. As the story moves along, the lives of these characters become more real and at one point, the readers began to relate to them. 'Ebong Fieldwork' was published in February, 2008 by Annesha Publications.

'Premanukabbo' is a set of love poems written by Polash Mahbub and published by Oitijjhya. Launched for the very first time in February 2002, 'Premanukabbo' is not a typical book of poems, which could be used to make offhand quotes from to a beloved whenever needed. Rather, the rhymes inside the book, along with the witty sketches, would make the reader guffaw and nod in agreement to the silent messages written between the lines.

Polash Mahbub's 'Ustam Fustam', literally defining chaos in Persian, is a compilation of his short stories published in the Daily Jugantor, Aamar Desh, Noya Digonto and Shaptahik 2000. As the title suggests, this humorous collection of short stories, which was launched in February 2008, reflects upon the eccentricities within human nature and talks of the little disarrays caused by people in their daily lives. The book has been published by Jagrity Prokashony.