Little mag corner yet to see expected crowd

Little Magazine Corner, one of the most attracting corners for the literature lovers, is yet to experience thicker crowd on the eleventh day of the Amar Ekushey Book Fair on Sunday.
However while talking with the Daily Observer, little mag editors and stall owners sounded optimistic about the upcoming days.
"People who read literature and engaged in academic activities usually buy magazines from their favourite stalls. I think, this part of the fair will see huge crowd in the middle of the month though sales are not as expected now" said Nahar Ahmed, a writer and member of Shabdha Binyas.
Aguntak Editor Bishal Rahman is expecting more youngsters at his stall ahead of the Valentine's Day on February 14 saying, "Youngsters always look for special gifts for their beloved."   
However, Dhrupadi Editor Sayeeda Naima said their sales were below Tk 100 adding, "Readers, especially the youngsters are now showing interest reading e-books. ...we've a plan to publish e-books to catch the readers."
The Little Magazine movement got momentum with the publication of 'Kallol' (1923), 'Kalikalom' (1927), 'Pragati' (1927) and 'Purbasha' (1932). Writers of these periodicals had a common motto of setting a new trend in Bengali literature by avoiding the influence of Rabindranath. With a view to reaching the target they selected several subjects as their topics for the first time in Bangla. These were materialistic life in the European ideal, critical analysis of psychology and issues relating to politics and economy. The Little Magazine kavita (1935) edited by Buddhadev Bose thus appeared as a revolt against the established literary trend set up by the great senior writers.
In Bangladesh, Simanta (1947-1952) is regarded as the pioneering little magazine. Published from Chittagong in 1947 and jointly edited by Mahbub-ul Alam Choudhury and Shucharit Choudhury, the magazine became famous for its role in the history of language movement. Agattya appeared in 1949 with Fazle Lohani as its editor. As reflection of bourgeois humanitarian mentality and life of middle class and neo-urban people were prominent in its contents.
Bangla Academy authorities have dedicated a space adjacent to Bardhaman House of the Book Fair as little mag corner. The corner accommodates around 136 stalls of little magazines this year.  
However, little mag editors sought patrons to revive its lost charm.
'Swapnil' Editor Saiful Saif said, "Little mags can't reach to the audience due to lack of patronising. If we want to enrich Bangla literature, little mags must be given importance as it has wider scope to create prominent writers."
A number of stall owners alleged of mismanagement on fair premises.
Meanwhile, a total of 102 books arrived on the 11th day of the book fair on Sunday while in the afternoon, Bangla Academy organised a discussion on 'Century of October Revolution' that was held at the main stage on the academy premises with Prof Pabitra Sarker in the chair.