Why is Littlemag neglected in this year's book fair?

The book fair this year is comparable to a family with three kids. The food carts from the partner enterprise are the beloved youngest child, the pavilions are the older child, and Littlemag Square is the neglected middle child who is forgotten. 

As visitors enter the fair through the TSC gate, they observe the youngest child prospering with patrons. Then, a little forward on the left, the lively and elaborately decorated eldest child is also thriving with clients. The contrast is evident while turning to the right. In the Littlemag Square, there is hardly any crowd. How vast is the visual difference? 

Musician Ershad Zaman stated, "The left side looks really organised and magnificent. Compared to that, the right looks pale."

You can't see books without visiting the stalls. In general, people gravitate toward the beautifully designed pavilions. The LittleMag square is seldom the focus of attention. Why is it like this? 

A student from the University of Dhaka's Department of Arabic, Hasib Al Hasan, said, "People choose their books in advance these days. It is quite uncommon to purchase a book after reading and reviewing it." 

But has it always been like this? "Back in the days, when the book fair was held in Bangla Academy, the LittleMag Square was in the centre," recalled Aditya Alam, an award-winning drama actor, screenwriter, and managing director of Credence Production House. 

"Encircling the square were the pavilions. This year, it seems like the LittleMag square is a part of the fair", He added.

We must first define the LittleMag square to comprehend its relevance in contemporary times. Is it for small children only? No, it's not as big as typical books. It's the essence of well-known authors' and activists' ideas. This platform is intended to serve as a gathering spot for thinkers and critiques, free from any influence.

The controversial topics that national dailies and mainstream literary magazines won't publish due to their policies are published in little magazines. Shafi Samudra, the managing editor for Karatkal, referred to LittleMag as the 'Alternative style of literature'.

 Aslam Sani, an author, organiser, journalist and actor by profession, said, "LittleMag is a type of collective movement. Those unable to write for a broad audience write for little magazines." 

He quoted Investigative journalist and Ramon Magsaysay Award winner Amitabha Chowdhury from India, "China and America are dangerous, but little magazine is much more dangerous than that." 

In addition to that, this square also serves as the debut platform for writers and publications. Given the contemporary situation, commercial publications don't usually hire new authors. They work with someone already famous. The more famous someone is, the more possibility of selling. LittleMag allows new writers to express their thoughts. 

The LittleMag square does not have a fixed place. This part of the book fair has been pushed around over the years, resulting in the audience not finding this square. All of this started when the book fair was moved to Suhrawardy Udyan. The fair gradually became more commercial rather than being about literature itself. People who are in the LittleMag community are somewhat disappointed about this. But what is the reason behind LittleMag losing its glaze?

Rishi Esteban, a nonconforming author and farmer, said, "LittleMag practice is being hampered by the sale of children's books, religious publications, and irrelevant ghost stories at their booths. After being notified, Bangla Academy promised to handle this issue; however, absolutely nothing was done." 

"Ironically, Bangla Academy relocates LittleMag Square regularly. I believe this is a plot against LittleMag's practice," he added. 

What does Bangla Academy have to say about this? A.K.M. Kutub Uddin, Assistant Director of the Compilation department, stated, "First of all, they choose their location every year; this year, they chose this place. Planning the book fair's map usually takes place prior to the fair. So, it's nearly impossible to change at the last moment."

"Regarding the commercial stores in the LittleMag square, Bangla Academy carried out several eviction programmes. It's not possible to do this every day; we have the whole fair to manage."

LittleMag is the voice for people. What is not eligible for publishing in mainstream platforms is published here. Though the community remains active the whole year, LittleMag is exposed to general citizens only during the fair. 

Shuman Shams, an activist & the chairman of Nongor, a non-profit organisation working for the sake of rivers, stated, "Bangla Academy should see LittleMag as their child and think for their wellbeing. They should communicate with those who practice LittleMag and work for their betterment. We hope that Bangla Academy won't prioritise commercial publications over LittleMag." 

Those writing for Little Magazines want to change society overall. They come for a cause rather than profit. They do not work for any institution; thus, they are not to be controlled by anyone. They uselessly serve others at their own expense. 

Rishi Esteban, from Karatkal, on what would be their step if they were to be neglected like this, "Bangla Academy lets us set stalls here, and we do. These problems are nothing but a nuisance to us. We would continue our activities." 

On the same question, Shuman Shams, from Nongor, stated, "We'd be left with no choice but to work independently if Bangla Academy keeps doing this."

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