Pages of books were once common source of knowledge for seekers. With the rise of modern technology and hundreds of channels, brimming with a myriad of content, the literary landscape has transformed dramatically worldwide.
From the captivating realms of social media to the captivating allure of YouTube, entertainment options have multiplied manifold in Bangladesh too.
Dhaka, a city steeped in history, houses a notable bastion of book acquisition—Banglabazar. It was the cultural hub of the four-century old city offering a haven for bibliophiles. Still, approximately 700 publishers lining its alleys. Among them, both fresh releases and pre-loved tomes find their way into the hands of eager readers.
Born in 1860, Banglabazar's inception followed the establishment of Mughal Subedar Islam Khan's capital in Dhaka in 1610. Flourishing between 1865 and 1900, this market witnessed a period of remarkable success. Today, the scene is set with around 2,000 bookstores, collectively fuelling a print industry that arranges three meals a day for over 1,00,000 individuals—spanning salespersons, print workers, binders, and more.
However, a shadow looms over this once-vibrant location. Publishers tread upon its pathways with wistful gazes, their showrooms languishing in neglect. The tides have turned, and the path to sustained business has grown challenging. Within this realm of uncertainty, publishers share a spectrum of opinions.
Some herald the digital domain as a boon, allowing publishers to reap greater profits by showcasing their literary treasures online. Yet, the chorus of dissent is strong. Online platforms, often fickle, prove a double-edged sword. A surge of orders might grace their portals one day, only to leave them barren the next.
Md Monirul Hoque, the driving force behind Anannya Prokashoni, muses, "Sales have waned a bit. The old era has faded. Banglabazar's allure has dimmed due to traffic congestion and the city's sprawling expansion."
He continues, "Fresh titles have become a rarity, as readers veer toward the cherished works of yesteryears. The same trend reverberated at book fairs. Alas, the once-thriving fairs now echo with dwindled transactions."
Prodded about their online presence, he remarks, "We've dipped our toes into the digital realm, partnering with Rokomari and other e-commerce platforms. Adaptation to technology is a requisite."
He lamented that the number of both readers and writers in the country is increasing but sales do not reflect it as the quality of writing is not good.
A sentiment mirrored by University Press Limited's (UPL) Sales Executive, Md Ahsan Ulla, who envisions a brighter horizon through online avenues.
"Our fortunes have swelled thanks to the digital surge. Sales surge in tandem. Strategic publicity and supply alignment catalyze the surge. The internet ushers in new vistas—our sphere of influence now transcends Banglabazar's bounds," he said.
He adds with fervour, "Our repository burgeons with books, their presence extending to the digital storefront. This fusion augurs well for us."
Amzad Hossain Khan, the manager of Oitijjhya Publishers, affirms the upward trajectory of online sales. "Our digital footprint is expanding, with Facebook ushering a cascade of orders. Yet, traditional in-person sales have dwindled. Survival mandates technological agility."
At the helm of Baatighar Publishers, optimism courses through their veins. The manager of the publishing house was reluctant to be named but his version resonated with growth, expanded branches, and elevated readership at the 2023 Book Fair.
"Six branches dot the nation, and more are poised to unfurl. Classics thrive, and the spectrum spans politics, history, poetry, and novels—each genre celebrating heightened sales," he said.
Yet, shadows coexist with the light. KM Liaquat, the helm at Bornayan Publication, laments the downward spiral. "Since 1990, my book fair stall mirrored prosperity. Now, the tides have reversed. Where thousands once found their way into readers' hands, now mere hundreds depart the shelves."
Painting a grim picture, Liaqat said in the past, books worth Tk 4-5 lakh used to sell at his stall at book fairs but in the 2021 fair, his stall could sell books worth only Tk 12-14 thousand. "Two thousand copies dwindled to a mere fraction. Unbought, untaken—thus, unprinted."
He said he now cannot afford to employ two persons and he had to sell all books in stock at scrap prices.
Change is afoot, and survival necessitates innovation. A new guise, a new approach. Some vanished, leaving traces in foreign lands or quaint villages, others embarking on different journeys.
Shyamal Sarkar, of Nobojug Prokashoni, bemoans the onslaught of counterfeit copies, decimating their business. "Thirty-five years of toil, but devastation prevails. Forged books slice our profits. Why buy genuine when the mimic comes cheap?"
“About 200 publishing houses have pulled their shutters and shifted to other businesses,” he said.
Jaharlal Saha, the publisher of Puthighar, a pioneer publishing house, said that if there is not a minimum sale of Tk 5,000 a day, how they would survive?
Shyamal Pal, vice-president of the Bangladesh Book Publishers and Sellers Association, said that the price of paper has tripled forcing them to raise the prices of books. “Considering everyone, we have asked all members to increase the price by only 27 per cent,” he said.
Challenges abound, as the president of Bangladesh Book Publishers and Sellers Association, Md Shafiqul Islam, attests. A seismic shift has transpired—a plummet from 60-80 per cent sales to an ailing 16 per cent.
The digital revolution, while adorning some with success, has cast a pall over many. The virtual world, once alien, now intertwines with every facet of existence. Yet, not all publishers embrace this transition, while financial woes cast their shadows.
The market's pulse grows faint, yet its rhythm persists. Amidst the dwindling presence, echoes of readers reverberate. "Untouched treasures reside here, rare finds that elude elsewhere," said Sumaiya Akhter, a steadfast reader, at the showroom of Uttaran.
Teenager Dweep Biswas, a student of nearby Dhaka Collegiate School, mirrors this sentiment, "Academic and non-academic gems converge here, a sanctuary for knowledge seekers."
Dhaka's literary realm, a tapestry woven through time, now embraces change. As the digital tide sweeps away the familiar, it ushers in a new era, marked by both promises and pitfalls.
