The Amar Ekushey Boi Mela has witnessed an increasing number of new arrivals over the years, especially books on humour. However, in recent years, purely satire-based works have been almost absent at the book fair.
Many comedy writers as well as satirists believe there are several reasons behind the absence of satires in the largest book fair of the country.
While jokes and humour-based writings are light-hearted which aim to causing pure amusement and entertainment, satire has deeper purpose – using humour, it points out and questions discrepancies, taboos, discriminations and corruption present in an individual, an institution, an industry, government, or even a society, they said.
Not many writers in the country presently have a strong command to produce such writings, they added.
The growing intolerance towards satire does not help matter either, they added.
“It is good that so many different kinds of writings can been seen in the fair, compared to the early year,” said Ahsan Habib, editor of popular satire magazine Ummad, “but good satire is still hard to find.”
“The reason could be that no writer can fearlessly attempt to rite satire these days. Also, satire needs strong writing skills.”
Ahsan’s sentiment was echoed by another renowned writer Sumanto Aslam. “It is true that writing satire is a difficult job, but the fear of violent retaliation may be a bigger factor here as the present environment is quite unfavourable for satirists.”
Four books written by Ahsan Habib have been released in the book fair this year: “Aromyo Romyo by Katha Prakash, “Shera Romyo Golpo” by Tamralipi, “Shudhu Koutuk” by Somoy Prakashan and “Political Jokes” by Ratri Prakashan.
Meanwhile, Kakoli Prakashani has brought Sumanto’s “Idiot Unlimited,” while Anupam Prakashani has published “Joyer Pothey Joyer Rothey” at the fair this year.
Attendants at different stalls said visitors frequently asked for satires; demand for parodies and jokes are high as well.
Bishwo Shahitto Kendro brought an 11-volume collection of Syed Mujtaba Ali this year.
“The Mujtaba Ali collection is at the top of our bestselling list,” said Tahir M Asif, in-charge of Bishwo Shahitto Kendro’s stall at the fair.
Yesterday saw 94 new books released at the fair, raising the total number of new arrivals to 2,023.