The Ekushey Book Fair, renowned for fostering emerging talent in the literary world, is facing criticism as independent publishers and writers voice concerns over being sidelined in favour of commercial interests.
Traditionally a haven for new and young writers, the fair is now under scrutiny for deviating from its original purpose, with publishers prioritizing profit over nurturing budding talent.
Little Mag Chattar, once a vibrant hub for independent publishers and writers, now finds itself marginalized within the fair grounds.
Exhibitors lament a decline in sales and foot traffic, highlighting the crucial role this section has played in fostering talented writers in Bangladesh.
To delve into the issue, Dhaka Tribune engaged with several stakeholders, including young writers, activists, and publishers dedicated to showcasing debut works.
One such publisher, Granthik, has championed the cause by publishing works of seven writers without prior publications. Tahmid Chowdhury, a young poet whose debut book was launched at the fair, expressed gratitude for the opportunity while lamenting the industry's focus on profit over literary merit.
When asked about the difference between this year’s fair and the last edition, he said: “In the previous year, the Little Mag Chattar was in the middle of the Book Fair, but now it has been sidelined. It looks more like a tunnel than a Chattar. Young people of our age, most of them don't even know about Little Mag Chattar.”
Papia Zerin, the publisher of Vaibhav, echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the importance of providing opportunities to new writers despite market pressures.
She emphasized the need for quality over commercial viability and highlighted projects aimed at nurturing fresh voices.
“When I came to publish my first book of poems, 'Unsaptati', I saw that reputable publishing houses were asking for money. Then it came to my mind to work professionally in this sector. As a new writer myself, I realized that I was facing problems, and started projects that would give new people a chance,” she said.
“Like most publishers, Vaibhav also keeps book sales in mind. Books by new authors don't sell - this is not entirely accurate. If the quality of the text is right and the author can promote the two books properly, the book will be sold,” the publisher added.
Rubel Islam of Granthik stressed the importance of fostering a thinking society through quality content, irrespective of commercial success. Granthik's dedication to promoting new writers underscores a commitment to literary excellence beyond financial gain.
Activist and writer Shuman Shams called for renewed focus on nurturing independent voices, urging the Bangla Academy to prioritize the Little Mag section and ensure year-round support for emerging writers.
Pointing out that the fate of Little Mag Chattar shows the struggle between commercial interests and literary integrity within the fair, he said: “Money is not a problem here. The problem is mentality. We expect, from next year, that Little Mag will be at the centre of the whole fair.”
As tensions simmer over the fair's direction, stakeholders stressed the need for a reevaluation of priorities, with a renewed focus on fostering creativity and diversity within Bangladesh's literary landscape.