The Aesthetic Affair of Ekushey Book Fair

Followed by the fragrance of the spring, February in Bangladesh is a month of turning grief into power. Hence, this month is a glowing time for the citizens, with revelries surrounded by various occasions, and Amor Ekushey (Immortal 21) Boimela (Book Fair) is one of them. Started with only 32 books on a mat under a tree in front of Bangla Academy back in 1972, the legacy of Boimela continued till date. This year (2024), too, “Amor Ekushey Book Fair” at Bangla Academy premises opened its doors for literacy and knowledge enthusiasts to commemorate the glorious history of the Bangla language movement.

While it’s the love for book that might grab readers to the fair, it is the unique eye-catching design that will pull people towards the book stalls and take a look at the books. This year, Anyaprokash showcased a unique rickshaw theme stall design, featuring a square pavilion with two vault-like structures inspired by rickshaw hoods. Designed by architect SM Rahman, the pavilion features murals and Humayun Ahmed’s portrait, using steel, bamboo, and plywood for its structure. The owner of Anya Prokash Mazharul Islam previously decorated pavilion along with Humayun Ahmed celebrating Ahsan Manzil, Lalbagh Fort, Curzon Hall, the Intellectual Memorial, and this year he chose UNESCO-recognised cultural heritage rickshaw of Bangladesh as the theme.

The most interesting stall design has to be Akash Prokashoni’s. At first glance, people might misconstrue it as the traditional wooden houses of Bikrampur. The owner and designer, Alamgir Sikder Loton’s love for folk culture is well-echoed in the pavilion. There are three doors on three sides of the pavilion, along with windows. Books were displayed both inside and outside the house, offering an amusing experience for the customers. The younger generation can thus become more accustomed to Bangladesh culture with such thoughtful designs.

The 39th Ekushey Book Fair has 635 stalls and pavilions this year, many of which are appealingly decorated. Things that look attractive tend to draw people in. They love connecting with them, are drawn to them, and want to learn more about them. Even though books are the heart of the book fair, a brilliant mind behind the design of those book stall plays an equally significant role.

Every year, the top organisation receives the Artist Qayyum Chowdhury Memorial Award for their aesthetic pavilion design. Last year, Puthiniloy bagged the very award.

The book fair’s main attraction, the kid’s section, remained colourful and exciting like always. Mayurpankhi’s stall at the book fair, designed by architect and designer Reesham Shahab Tirtho, stands out with its vibrant theme and arched doors, providing a fun walk for children. Journeyman Book’s stall, designed by interior designer Nazneen Haque Mimi, is another example of simplicity and efficiency. They have arranged a free Wi-Fi zone for the visitors and also used a modern book shelf outside the stall for an artistic appeal and a comfortable visit for book lovers.  Sabyasachi Hazra’s signature simple and classy design is reflected on both the pavilions, Katha Prokash and Kobi Prokashoni. The choice of colours and fonts for Katha Prokash is minimal yet catchy. The surface is covered with layers of laterite soil, which gives it an even more fun context. Whereas the white folk motifs on the complete black surface of Kobi Prokashoni attract visitors effortlessly. Bangla Prakash remained unparalleled with its wooden pavilion, which looked more like a wooden box filled with books.

The modest design rather appealed as classy, and the books have been kept skilfully on book shelves, which gives off a typical bookshop vibe. The pavilion looks equally great in the evening when the pendant lights it up. This year the prize was awarded for aesthetic and artistic stalls and pavilion and publishing maximum number of books in quality. In the pavilion category, “Anyaprakash” and “Nimphia Publication” and “Bengal Books” in the stall category received the Artist Qayyum Chowdhury Smriti Award as the best organisation in aesthetic decoration among the participating publishing houses. Kathaprokash received the Chittaranjan Saha Smriti Award for publishing the highest number of quality books. In the best book category in artistic and quality judging, Prothoma Prakashan got the prize for “Bangladesh in 21st Century: Transformation of Education” written by Manzoor Ahmed, and Oitijjhya for “Jatratihas: Bangler Jatra Shilper Adi Anta” written by Moeen Ahmed and Journeyman Books got the Munir Chowdhury Smriti Award for publishing “Kilo Flight” written by Alamgir Sattar. And Roknuzzaman Khan Dadabhai Smriti Award-2024 was given to Mayurpankhi for publishing the most books for children in terms of quality. Cultural Secretary Mr. Khalil Ahmed said that efforts are being made to bring the book fair into a permanent structure. Almost every stall and pavilion of this year’s book fair was well-decorated, every stall was well-organised and many stalls had a touch of modernity. Books worth Tk 50 crore were sold in the book fair and as many as 3,751 new books had been published.

Written by Fariha Hossain