Imagine someone is reading a novel or storybook in front of you and you are listening to it. Thrilling background sounds based on the text are playing. For sure, you love it. It will be a new experience for you.
An Audio-book, a recording of a book or other work being read out loud, makes this fantasy come true.
It’s a new addition to the Bangla literature arena and a popular medium worldwide. Due to technological advancements and easier access to modern devices, audio-books are becoming an enjoyable medium, especially among young book lovers.
In the ongoing Amar Ekushey Book Fair, a few stalls are found to have introduced audio-books. Kahinik, Kabbik and ShunBoi, among others, are a few tiltle where they keep such books. Visitors are seen gathering in front of these stalls. These stalls are capturing the attention of book lovers.
Faisal Hossain, a service holder, is one of them. While talking to Bangladesh Post, he shared his experience.
“During the lockdown period, I took great interest in Bangla literature. Later, I used to come to Dhaka from my hometown and had to sit on the bus for a long time. Once, I started listening to audio-books.”
Mehedi Hasan, who came from the Farmgate area, said, “Reading print books is tough sometimes tiring. Audio-books are very convenient while staying outdoors,
especially while traveling.”
Al Hadi, who introduced himself as a filmmaker, told Bangladesh Post, “I cannot get the opportunity to read books because of my busy schedules, despite my reading habits. I was thinking about audio-books and I came here. I have taken a subscription for a year.”
Kabbik Audio-books have over 2500 audio-books and content. They have an app that is accessible from the Play Store, and users can experience a few audio-books for free.
Md. Arafat Islam, an official for Kabbik, told this correspondent, “We have more than 7 thousand paid users and our app has been downloaded more than 1 lac times.”
Concerns arise, Is audio-book a threat to traditional print books? Imrad Zulkarnine, the founding director of Kaninik Audio-book, was opposed in this regard.
He argued that audio-book is not an alternative to print books, rather, it is supplementary to print books. “We like to listen to the books that have been read before. Hearing stories is a loving thing,” he added.
