The Story Behind AkaalBodhon: A Journey of Passion and Perseverance

AkaalBodhon, a name that resonates with literary aspirations, is more than just a magazine; it embodies a journey marked by challenges, community, and unwavering support. This piece recounts the story behind AkaalBodhon, shedding light on the struggles faced and the people who have contributed to its evolution.

The Story Behind the AkaalBodhon

After moving to Dhaka, my income decreased significantly. Ironically, I had come to this city hoping to earn a better living. Instead, I ended up with low-paying jobs from the start. In between managing my job, I got involved in various organizations and recitations. Then, for reasons I couldn't quite explain, I started Kavitashram, a poetry workshop. The costs were still manageable at that time.

In 2011, the idea of publishing a magazine called AkaalBodhon took over my mind. I managed to gather enough funds for the first issue and thought I could finance the next by selling copies of the first. But the expenses went beyond what I anticipated. I didn’t have my own computer, so after work, I’d use the office computer for a bit, then head to a cyber cafe to work on the magazine—collecting, writing, proofreading, and doing the layout.

I had learned some basic design programs like QuarkXPress and Illustrator while working for a television magazine. Using that knowledge, I made progress on the magazine. The cyber cafe computers didn’t have these programs, so I carried CDs around to install and uninstall them wherever I worked. It was a tough process. The press cost for the first issue was about 1,500 taka, which was quite a stretch for me financially.

As time passed, AkaalBodhon grew in size and recognition. More writers contributed, and the magazine expanded. But with this growth, so did the costs—both for the magazine and in my personal life. Unfortunately, my income remained stagnant. Despite the challenges, I continued publishing. Although the goal was to release issues monthly, it often took two or three months to collect enough funds for the next one. The unwavering support of friends like Shaon, Kaiser, and Kabir kept me going.

Once, four months had passed without a new issue. We used to hang out at Chobir Haat in Dhaka. One day, Kaiser suggested, "Let’s go to Shaon bhai’s house." That day, our usual hangout wasn’t quite as lively, so I agreed. When we arrived, it became clear that they had planned this visit to push me to continue the magazine. They started questioning me, "Why aren’t you working on the magazine?" I could only respond, "I don’t have the money." Kaiser asked, "How much do you need?" I roughly calculated and said, "About four and a half thousand taka." Shaon immediately said, "Kaiser will give you the money now. Just go ahead and print the next issue." I hesitated, "How will I repay you?" Kaiser replied, "You’ll pay it back through the magazine—don’t worry." So, after leaving Shaon’s house, Kaiser withdrew the money and handed it to me. I immediately returned to working on AkaalBodhon.

In February 2013, the Shahbagh Movement began. We participated as usual, and once again, Kaiser was enthusiastic. He suggested, "Let’s create a special issue with slogans and photos." Pavel added, "If we include photos, we’ll need to print it in color. But will Milon bhai go for that?" All eyes were on me. I replied, "If needed, we’ll do a color issue. No problem." Kaiser took responsibility for gathering the funds, and we filled the pages with photos from the movement. This special issue, titled "Projonmo Chottor Special Edition," was the first publication of the movement, released on Valentine’s Day.

Toward the end of the movement, another issue was released, but I fell into debt due to the rising costs. Life became increasingly difficult, and I couldn’t even think about publishing more issues. Despite this, I managed to release the seventeenth issue in mid-2014, during which AkaalBodhon once again evolved. After this issue, poet Bhaskar Chowdhury helped secure an advertisement, which allowed us to publish the eighteenth issue in December 2014.

Then life took over. The next five years passed without a single new issue of AkaalBodhon. In early 2019, Raju pushed me to buy a domain and hosting for an online version of the magazine, and that’s how the digital version of AkaalBodhon was born. We even celebrated its eighth anniversary online. Later, under the banner of Jongshon Publications, we published the nineteenth print edition.

After the 2020 book fair, Mandira joined AkaalBodhon and gave the magazine a fresh new look. With her help, we released four fantastic online issues, one after another. I’m mostly used to editing print magazines, so I have a soft spot for physical copies. This attachment led us to publish our twentieth issue, a cinema-themed edition, which was more polished and sophisticated than any previous issue. There’s a story behind this edition, the story of the people behind the magazine.

The People Behind the Magazine

While printing books for Jongshon Publications, I met Riaz, a well-known name in Dhaka’s literary circles. In 2020, after the book fair and the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, I found myself in a tough spot. I had left my long-term job to pursue publishing and printing, but I ended up severing ties with Jongshon. It was a hard time, but even then, I continued compiling material for AkaalBodhon’s cinema issue, hoping to publish it if I could arrange the funds.

Despite my split with Jongshon, I remained connected with Riaz because of his business dealings with them. We had also developed a friendship by that point. One day, out of the blue, Riaz offered to print the magazine. I was shocked! "Don’t worry about the money," he said. "We’ll figure something out." In that moment, I saw Kaiser and Shaon’s generosity reflected in Riaz.

Riaz printed the twentieth issue of AkaalBodhon without asking for a single penny in advance. When I picked up the copies, I told him, "I’ll pay you back when I can." I didn’t even know the exact cost. With a smile, he sent me off. We’ve hung out many times since, and not once has he asked me about the money. Riaz still has a significant amount owed to him from Jongshon, yet he helped me without hesitation. When I finally asked him, "Why did you print the magazine when you know I can’t repay you?" he simply said, "I know you will."

Honestly, I’ve always wanted to create a magazine. But I haven’t yet made AkaalBodhon into what I truly envision. Maybe one day I will. Perhaps, before I die, I’ll finally publish the magazine I’ve always dreamed of. And with that issue in hand, I’ll rest in peace. In the meantime, I keep working. The process may not always be satisfying, but at least I know I’m not standing still.

And as I continue working, people like Shaon, Kaiser, Ishti, Pavel, and Riaz stand by my side. Their contributions have shaped both me and AkaalBodhon. I’m deeply grateful to them and offer them my heartfelt thanks.

The story of AkaalBodhon is not just about a magazine; it’s a testament to the power of community, resilience, and shared dreams. Each person who has contributed to its journey has left an indelible mark, shaping not only the magazine but also the vision behind it. As we look forward, the dream of AkaalBodhon continues to evolve, fueled by the passion of its creators and supporters.

Written by:
Editor of Littlemag AkaalBodhon
Date: July 14, 2021