Poetries most-published, novels most sold
Every year, thousands of poetry books are published at Amar Ekushey Boi Mela, and this year was no exception. According to Bangla Academy data, more poetry books were published this year than other genres of literature, including stories and novels.
However, novels outshine poetries and all other genres in terms of popularity and sale.
The first 24 days of the fair have seen the publication of 2,965 new books till yesterday. Of them, 925 were poetry books, and 424 were novels.
But Farid Ahmed, publisher of Somoy Prokashon, said the readers are always more attracted to novels than other literary forms. He claims that translations and novels sell better at the book fair. This is a global phenomenon, not just in Bangladesh, he added.
While visiting the book fair yesterday, this correspondent met Mainul Hasan who came to the fair from Kafrul with his wife and two children. He bought novels, essays and children's books. Regarding poetry books, he said, "I don't understand poetry, I don't even know the poets of this era."
But that doesn't mean there are no readers looking out for poetry books at the fair.
One such visitor is Fahmida Zaman from Paribagh.
"Poetry is food for the mind. This time, along with other books, I have bought some poetry books," she said.
She collected the poems of Helal Hafiz, Mahadev Saha and Marjuk Russell from the book fair.
Fiction writer Anwara Syed Haq said, "There are many poetry books in the fair. But poetry is about emotions. Many people do not understand how much emotion must be invested into writing poetry.."
Meanwhile, Rudra Goswami, a popular poet, has brought a romantic thriller book titled "Antarbarti Tadanter Pare" at the fair.
Besides, Kushal Baran Chakraborty's poetry book "Golakar Prithibite Golakar Ghotonabritto", published by Kagoj Publications is also selling well in this year's edition.
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