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A total of 5,197 poetry books have been published at the book fair in the last five years since 2020 which is one-third of total books, according to Bangla Academy. But sale of poetry books is very low.
A total of 16,128 new books were published at the book fair in the last five years where the number of poetry books was the highest than other category books.
According to the public relations office of Bangla Academy, 1,585 poetry books were published in 2020, 898 in 2021, 1,060 in 2022 and 1,247 in 2023. Besides, 410 poetry books were published in the first 15 days of this year's book fair.
Writers, publishers and booklovers said that now the number of good quality poetry books is very rare. As a result, readers don’t collect these books. Booklovers are buying old poetry books authored by famous writers.
Nahid Islam, a visitor, told The Business Post on Saturday that poetry books coming out in recent times are of very poor quality. “Everyone is writing books but nobody concentrates on good quality.”
Farid Ahmed, proprietor of Somoy Prokashon, told The Business Post, "Poetry books are selling very less than other books. Some poetry books sell well and some books don't at all."
Md. Faridul Alam, writer of 'Kobitay Jiboner Golpo (Story of life in poetry)' said, "Many people think that writing poetry is easy, but when you write poetry, you will find that it takes a lot of time. If you do it in a hurry, then the quality will definitely be lower."
Dhaka University’s Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Admin) Professor Muhammad Samad, also President of National Poetry Council, said, "Earlier, we used to write poetry in various places including newspapers. Then we would publish it in the form of a book. But now in the age of information technology and people have enough money in their hands, they are publishing books very easily. There are also writers who are putting out books straight away."
"Kobitar Asar (Poetry sessions) are very rare now. No one organises the poetry festival except the National Poetry Council."
Prof Samad further said, "But it is not correct that the number of poem readers has suddenly decreased. Poem lovers are reading poetry and writing books; they are doing this out of love for poetry."
However, a total of 171 new titles hit the book fair on Saturday.
At the programme "Lekhok Bolchi", Poet Shanta Maria, Essayist Esrar Latif, writer of juvenile Ahasan Malek, Essayist Sumon Shams discussed their new books.
A discussion titled "Remembrance: Shahid Saber and Remembrance: Panna Kaiser" was held at the main stage of the fair on Bangla Academy ground at 4pm. Monir Yousuf and Mamun Siddiqi presented the article while Ramendu Majumdar presided over the event. Gias Uddin, Suvash Singho Roy and Shomi Kaiser also participated in the programme.
A discussion titled " Remembrance: National Prof Anisuzzaman" will be held at the main stage of the fair on Bangla Academy grounds at 4pm on Sunday. Svarocisha Sarakara will present the article while Kamal Chowdhury will preside over the event. Luva Nahid Chowdhury and M Abdul Alim will also participate in the programme.
