Little magazines, also known as “chhoto kagoj” in Bangla, are an alternative space for writers to publish their literary works, has seen a steady growth in numbers and has attracted many young readers and writers at Amar Ekushey Boi Mela 2016.
The number of littles magazines, commonly referred to as little mags, participating at the book fair have been on the rise over the years. There were 45 little magazines in the fair in 2014 and 60 in 2015. This year, 85 little mags are taking part in the fair.
The little mag corner is located near the Burdwan House in Bangla Academy this year, slightly different than the rest of the fair as it is not as crowded.
Many little mags can be found in the corner, namely Chalchitra, Koratkol, Junction, Magic Lonthon, Shirdara, Loke, Deshlai, Chinho, Megh, Daag, Dhomoni, Prokash, Golpokotha, Charbak, Sorol Rekha, Mermaid, Protikatha, Porbo, Nihsorgo, Dhulipath, Festoon, Anindo, Droshtobbo, Gandiv, Jehetu, Shonkhochil, Anupranon, Chirkut, Polimati, Tritiyochokh, Ekobingsho, Kobitapatra, Shaluk and so on.
While the number of little mags may have grown, the quality has not imrpoved; rather, it has fallen, said Ektiza Ahsan, editor of little magazine Prantoswar.
“There are so many little mags available now because of technology. Before technology’s intervention, it used to take much longer to plan and publish a little mag, so quality was better ensured,” he told the Dhaka Tribune. “But nowadays, it takes a lot less time to bring out an issue, which means the planning is not properly done.”
He further said the real meaning and purpose of “little mags” are getting somewhat lost.
Nizam Biswas, a young poet who writes in little magazines, said: “Little mags are still a big arena for practising literature freely. Web mags or virtual pages of literature are very popular now, but most of those do not have a strong editorial body; little mags do.”
Dipankar Ray, an attendant at Loke’s stall, said: “We generally receive decent response from little mag readers. More magazines are participating this year compared to last year.”
“It’s great to see the new generation of readers and writers showing interest in the culture of little magazine,” said Shammo Rayan, another poet.
Being the last day of the last weekend for this year, yesterday saw a huge turnout of visitors at the book fair. Thousands of book lovers thronged the fairgrounds all day, boosting the sales.
Punishment demanded for Humayun Azad’s killers
Publishers, writers and readers gathered in front of the Burdwan House around 5pm yesterday commemorating author, poet and scholar Humayun Azad and demanding punishment for his killers.
They also demanded justice for blogger-writer Avijit Roy who was killed last year while returning from the book fair, similarly as Humayun Azad.
Bangla Academy General Director Shamsuzzaman Khan, poet Muhammad Samad, Aslam Sunny and Humayun’s publisher Osman Gani spoke at the event, among others.
