Feature

My views on Star Campus Literary Adda

Samah Hamza

Last week I had the opportunity of attending one of the monthly 'literary addas' organized by Star Campus and Coffee World. Being an avid reader of books, this event had me very fascinated. Prior to this, I would always wish that private universities had an active book club, where people could mutually pick out books and arrange weekly review discussions. However, not many would consider this to be entertaining since we don't have that many readers these days. Just when those hopes almost died out, I discovered the existence of this event. The head of my school department suggested I could attend one of these book reviews arranged by Star Campus. Very eagerly, I gathered some interested friends to accompany me and went there.

The discussion was held at the Banani outlet of Coffee World and Pizza Corner. Members from Star Campus, students of public and private universities and also a member from Coffee World were present there to participate in the discussion. The main speaker was Maleka Sarwar, a senior lecturer from the English Department of North South University. She chose the book 'Fault Lines' for review and discussion. Learning about the event on the same day, unfortunately I didn't have the chance to read the piece beforehand. The book is basically a compilation of 37 short stories in the backdrop of the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War. Stories have been written by both Pakistani and Bangladeshi authors expressing their opinions about the war which actually reveals the dissection created as an aftermath.

The 'adda' began with the introduction of the stories, of reality and how the people suffered during the period of turmoil and continued with the presentation of some of the most notable stories in the book. We learned that the stories portray irony in the sense that the Pakistanis continue to view the situation as a sense of loss without acknowledging the suppression and torture whereas the Bangladeshis are entangled in enormous pride and recognition .The discussion had us all engaged and captivated while it triggered a sense of patriotism. Although, I had not read the book earlier, the synopsis of the stories itself provoked the want to know more and participate in the discussion.

I must say the experience was highly enlightening and prolific in an informal setting. We relaxed over refreshments and carried on with the discussion nonchalantly. The swapping of ideas and opinions helped us to understand different views on the issue. The discussion also brought out symbolic notions from the stories that some readers may have not caught off guard. At the same time, it stimulated immense interest in students like me who had not read the book before. Both me and my friend Nazia mentioned that we would definitely get the book and add to our knowledge about the Liberation War.

Such events should be arranged more often as it not only allows book lovers to review their reads but also endows new ideas and concepts. It also helps to have a semi formal setting as it breaks the clichéd tag of boredom that book reading carries. I will definitely be looking forward to the next literary adda, making sure which book is to be presented beforehand to accommodate full preparation and more active contribution in the review.

Erratum

In the last issue of Star Campus, one quotation by the Guest Speaker…….. was misinterpreted in the feature article titled "Star Campus Literary Adda at Coffee World returns".

The quotation “Fault Lines doesn't talk about fiction but mainly focuses on the crucial experiences faced by people. In fiction we look for the recreation of experiences and historical information is not present” was supposed to read- " It is fiction which recreated the real life experiences faced by the people in 1971. The stories have their roots in the history of that particular period when Bangladesh was created." We regret the mistake.