High publication, low sales: The poetry paradox

As in previous years, the Amar Ekushey Book Fair has once again brimmed with poetry books, even though their sales remain the lowest among all genres.
Saturday was the seventeenth and second last day of the fair. According to Bangla Academy till the 17th day of the book fair some 1,771 new books hit the stalls. Of them, the number of poetry books is 656. 
Analysing the data of the published books in the book fair in last five years, it can be seen that publishers brought at least 18,387 new books from 2020 to 2025. Of these, 7,392 are books on poetry. But publishers said they didn’t get much response from readers with the books on poetry. Rather they have seen that the visitors of the fair have lost attraction on poetry books.
“The number of poetry readers has always been low though we bring good number of books on poetry every year. Actually most people are not educated enough to understand poems. They like stories and novels as they find these easy. And therefore, the sale of poetry books is low compared to other genres,” Publisher of Pathak Samabesh Shahidul Islam Biju told the Daily Sun.
“Apart from books by classic authors, readers are mostly looking for books written by established authors. They show less interest about the books by newcomers. And most of the newcomers come up with books of poetry,” he added.
Avid readers of poetry, however, said the number of reliable poets has reduced and as a result they find it difficult to pick poetry compilations of their choice.
While buying a book of poetry in the book fair, Begum Badrunnesa Government College teacher Shahnaz Siddiqui said, “I started loving poetry reading Shahid Qadri, Shamsur Rahman, Al Mahmud, Nirmalendu Goon. Now I don’t see poets of that caliber. Yet I buy books of poetry every year to observe the changing trend of poetry.”
Poets think that the number of poetry readers was never enough and both the readers and poets have responsibility behind this situation.
“Poems bring out the deepest of the thoughts and feelings. Not everyone is able to realise it. Therefore, readers need to prepare themselves to read poems,” poet Pias Majid told the Daily Sun.
Besides, poets have no way to avoid their liability in this regard as their creations have disconnected from the root and very life of the readers, he added. 
“Earlier, poetries speak of tradition and life of human being but in the recent years, poetry has become indecipherable being detached from life,” the poet said, adding that the tendency of imitating others and doing too much experiment is also creating problems.
While visiting the stalls at the book fair, it was seen that alongside books by new poets, there are also books by older, established poets. Some poetry collections have also been newly reissued. This year, Dibya Prokash has brought a new edition of Helal Hafiz’s “Je Jole Agun Jole”. The book was first published by them in 1986. A book titled “Nirbachito 100 Kobita”, containing 100 selected poems by poet and senior journalist Hasan Hafiz, has been published by Anyaprokash. From Nalanda, a poetry book titled “Onusuryer Uttap" by poet Russell Asad has been released. Women’s rights and discrimination are the main themes of his poetry.
Anannya has published poet Matin Raihan’s “Kate Din Boshonto Talashe” and Boibhob has brought Shahed Kayes's poetry compilation "Haor Nodi Ektaraa". 
From Agamee, poet Mohan Raihan’s “Firiye Dao Sei Sten Gun” has been released. 
Charu Sahityangan has published Saiful Islam’s “Boshonto Ek Noroker Ritu”. Jhingeful has released Subhash Chandra’s poetry book “Onurager Chhoan”.
Many poets have come up with their first compilation of poetries this year. Protikotha has brought Kamiz Alam's "Nokkhotromanobi o Kotipoy Pongktimala", while Prokriti has published Tofazzel Tuhin's first poetry compilation "Tumi Ele Haoar Moto".
Both the poets have been engaged in literary practice for years.
Talking to the Daily Sun, poet Tofazzel Tuhin said, “Each poem in this book is my silent feeling, my journey, my belief, and a sincere attempt to change myself and see the world anew.”
In addition, translations of foreign poetry have also been published. Poems by Javed Akhtar have been translated by Shafiqunnabi Samadi and published by Panjeree Publications. On the seventeenth day of the book fair, a discussion programme titled “Birth Centenary: Muslim Sahitya Samaj” was held at the main stage of the book fair at 3pm with Abul Ahsan Chowdhury in the chair.
Morshed Shafiul Hasan presented keynote paper while Momtaz Jahan was present as discussant. Poet Zakir Abu Jafar, writer and translator Shakir Sabur, essayist Rajib Sarkar and researcher Khan Mahbub discussed their new books at Lekhok Bolchi stage on the day. 
Today, on the last day of the fair, the Bangla Academy will arrange the concluding ceremony of the fair at 3pm on the main stage.