Ekushey arouses spirit of nationalism

Immortal Ekushey has reappeared once again in our life to stimulate the spirits of nationalism against injustice and inequality, which have besieged us like octopus from all sides. It also teaches us to fight hegemony and fanaticism. To make the arrival of Ekushey memorable, a book fair that started its journey in the year 1972 is held every year at the Bangla Academy premises. It is now an integral part of or culture.

During this time, the Bangla Academy and its surrounding areas take a new shape, new look, new picture and above all create such an image that words cannot explain. Tens of thousands of people of all ages, all races, creeds and colours and religions swarm thereto to declare their integrity and solidarity with the ideals and objective working behind organising the book fair.

It is true that every visitor does not buy book(s). Yet, the sale amount being very lucrative, publishers and book agencies show extreme interest to install bookstalls with new and current books of different writers, new and old. Generally readers opt for newly published novels, poems, adventure, and politics oriented ones and history of War of Independence and biography. There are also plenty of books conducive for the kids.

Nurul Alam, a resident of Siddeswari area, has been going to Ekushey Book Fair every year since 1978. He takes his family members with him in order to install spirits of nationalism in their herarts. I asked him about his feelings after his entering there. He said, "In the culmination of independence in 1971, immortal Ekushey is the first stair and its impact is inexplicable. When I go there, I feel myself a different man. Secondly, I am fond of reading book, and so, I do not want to miss the opportunity of going through the lines of the newly published books of my choice from the academy premises."

In the year 1972, the first edition of the book fair took place at the academy premises. The Bangla Academy authority began sale of their published books at the reduced rate to inspire the visitors. Two years later, the city of Dhaka witnessed the National Literary Conference at the same venue in the month of February and several book agencies selling books by the side of the main gate. Sale position being encouraging, the Bangla Academy decided in favour of holding the full-scale book fair from the year 1978.

The following year, the Book Publishers and Sellers Samity appeared as the associate partner of Bangla Academy in organising the fair. Statutory laws were formulated and the book fair was given the name of Amar Ekushey Boi Mela (Immortal Ekushey Book Fair).

The number of the stalls increased from 30 in 1980 to 270 in 1992. It was 338 in 1993, 653 in 1994, 467 in 1995, 486 in 1996 and 520 in 1997. There will be 450 stalls this year. Besides that, there will be discussion meeting and cultural function as well every day.

One of the characteristics of the book fair is the rush of the people. Sometimes it exceeds the boundary of guess, preventing thousands from entering the premises, particularly on the 20th and the 21st February. They return in despair. Ahmad Hossain of Khilgaon area said, "I could not enter on two occasions for abnormal rush. All my attempts ended in futile. And I was sad for that."

Among the writers, the books composed by Humayun Ahmad run highest. His best contribution is that he created a forum of readers, in this country, who used to read in the past the books published in West Bengal, India, claims a reader. Another characteristics of the fair is that there are no more haberdashers, tea-stalls and portable shops selling fried-rice, murki and the like.. The road between TSC and Doel Chattar is cleared of the traffic congestion paving comfort for the visitors. A young lady of Mohammadpur area when asked said, " Now I feel comfort to walk along the road. I have never missed the book fair since 1985. I am inspired by my consciousness to go there. When I see waves of people, my joys know no bounds."

However, an old man of the fifties regretted to say, "We bring out the cloth- covered-spirits of nationalism and independence from the trunk thrice in the year i.e. in February, March and December for display and then put again thereinto."