A few new titles on the historic 1952 Language Movement and related topics were published at the ongoing Amar Ekushey Book Fair 2026.
Publishers, writers and readers said that extensive research requirements limit the number of publications, even though demand for the language remains high.
Swapna71 Prakashan publisher Abu Sayed said they only published one book on language movement of 1952 because of lack of quality manuscript.
‘The book titled Bhasa Andolan: Panch Alokchitrir Chokhe is a research work based on five photographers and their documentation on the movement,’ he said, adding that as publishers, they look for good manuscripts on the issue.
Shahadat Parvez, a photographer and researcher who also edited the book Bhasa Andolan: Panch Alokchitrir Chokhe, focuses his research on the visual documentation of the language movement, his work led to the discovery of two previously unknown photographers, Muhammad Takiullah and Mizanur Rahman.
‘We primarily know the history of the language movement through photographs, yet the photographers remained behind the scenes and their names often stay hidden, and the research also includes many unpublished photographs,’ he said, adding that more study is needed, especially on visual documentation.
Kathaprokash’s stall in-charge, Jafirul Islam, said that readers ask about Language Movement and language-related books, but there are is a shortage of good books on the subject.
‘Bhasa Andolan Kosh by M Abdul Alim is still the best book. While his other book titled Vasasongrami MA Owadud, has also attracted readers, we have not received many good books on the issue,’ he said, adding that Supa Sadiya’s Bayannor 52 Nari is also a good publication.
A UPL salesperson said that they launched Parabhasa Prakaran Kathanbisbo by Syed Shahriar Rahman, and another book titled Vasa Andaloner Artha-samajik Patabhumi (fifth volume) would be published at this fair.
Adorn Publication’s chief editor, Syed Zakir Hussain, said that most of the language-based books and language movements are the result of academic or long-term research, which is costly, and therefore, the government should fund the research.
Towhid Bin Muzaffar, co-writer of Preservation of Endangered Languages of Bangladesh: Mahale Voices, published by Adorn Books, said that not only the language movement and Bengali language issues that matter; the languages of national minority communities also need to be preserved.
Ajmal Hossain, a student of Institutes of Modern languages, said that besides academic books, the overall publications are decreasing in the field of language studies.
‘Bengali is taught at the primary, secondary and higher secondary levels, but other than grammar books, there are not many good publications about the history or research of the language,’ he said.
There were 163 new arrivals on the 12th day of the fair, and a total of 996 books have been published at the fair so far, according to academy officials.
A discussion on writer Shahhidullah Kaiser was held on the main stage of the fairground in the afternoon.
Writer-researcher Shibly Azad delivered the keynote address, while writer Prasanta Mridha spoke at the event chaired by Bangla Academy director general professor Mohammad Azam.
Translator and writer Fayez Alam spoke at an event titled Ami Lekhak Balchi on the Suhrawardy Udyan premises in the evening.
A discussion featuring professor emeritus of the University of Dhaka and writer Syed Manzoorul Islam would be held today, where Ahmad Mostafa Kamal would present the keynote paper.
Writer Horisongkor Joldash would speak at the event, which would be chaired by Khaliquzzaman Elias.
