We depend on individuals, they depend on institutions

Ahmad Mazhar is an essayist, translator and children's author. He has been living abroad for seven years now, currently residing in the United States. Despite being away from his homeland, his heart remains attached to his roots. He continues to be actively involved in writing. Two of his books have been published in this year's book fair: 'Smriti O Sannidhe' and 'Mouhurtiki'. Every year during the book fair, he visits his home country. During his recent visit, he engaged in a conversation with Views Bangladesh, discussing his life abroad, his thoughts on writing, and various other topics. Kamrul Ahsan conducted the interview.

Views Bangladesh: How are you? On behalf of Views Bangladesh, I extend you a warm welcome.
Ahmad Mazhar: I am doing well. It feels good to be back in the country after almost a year.

Views Bangladesh: Do you only come to Bangladesh for the book fair?
Ahmad Mazhar: I come every year for the book fair.

Views Bangladesh: How many years has it been since you went to America?
Ahmad Mazhar: I went to America in May 2017. It's been almost seven years now.

Views Bangladesh: I would like to know if you were happy here in Bangladesh. Why did you go to America?
Ahmad Mazhar: My reason for going to America is a bit accidental. My wife's elder brother had been in America for quite some time. When he obtained citizenship, he applied for his siblings. I wasn't aware of this. Perhaps his siblings knew about it, but I never heard of it. In 2015, I went to America once to participate in the book fair. Even then, I didn't know about it. At that time, I saw America through the eyes of a traveler. I felt that in such a short time, I wouldn't be able to understand much about America. There are many things within a society. In 2016, I learned that my wife would go to America. Even then, I didn't think I would stay in America permanently. I thought if she gets a Green Card, then I could occasionally visit. In 2016, when it became clear to me, I had to stay there. My son could also graduate there. At that time, I thought we would settle him there and come back. After staying there for a few months, I felt that the life we lead in Bangladesh, with various anxieties and financial troubles, the way I want to write freely, study, I can do that there without worries. With that in mind, I stayed there permanently.

Views Bangladesh: So, are you saying that you are doing well in America?
Ahmad Mazhar: In a sense, yes, I am doing well, as I have no more expectations in my life. My son has completed his graduation. My concern was that when my son completes his graduation and starts working, I won't have any more financial troubles. My father is quite old now, he has no more expectations, I have no personal expectations, like many people have expectations of achieving a lot, I have no such expectations. I just want to live a simple life like an ordinary person.

Views Bangladesh: What are your expectations from writing?
Ahmad Mazhar: When I was in college, I decided that regardless of whether I have talent or not, whether my writing is accepted by society or not, I will live the life of a writer. I can live that life. Even when I was working, whatever I did, I always criticized myself, this is not your job. Because of this, you will notice, I haven't done well in my professional life.

Views Bangladesh: How is your expatriate literary life going now?
Ahmad Mazhar: I have been trying to understand the differences between our literary life and the literary life there. For example, how the world of book publishing is different there and here, how the quality or characteristics or emotional differences of their book fair are compared to ours, understanding the literary organizations or writing-related institutions there. I have also learned a lot by asking questions after questions in universities.

Views Bangladesh: What differences did you observe?
Ahmad Mazhar: The differences are that we cannot be impartial, we cannot be organized. The reason is that our lifestyle has not been impartial so far. We are individual-dependent, they are institution-dependent. They give precedence to the institution over the individual. The discipline works like that. Our discipline doesn't work like that. It's not like the people who achieve quality are not among us. They are; but there is no institutional perspective like them. Bangladesh is also individual-dependent. Therefore, the responsibility lies within our social structure, not with individuals.

Views Bangladesh: What are the differences between their readers and ours?
Ahmad Mazhar: They have arrangements for independent reading along with textbooks in their schools. They select some specific books from the school itself, and these books gradually become larger. As a result, they develop their own perspective or values.

Views Bangladesh: What kinds of books do the Bengali readers there read?
Ahmad Mazhar: Many of them read. Those who read do not want to mix with ordinary Bengalis anymore. Rather, they are more inclined towards American culture. If someone wants to pursue art and literature, they blend in with the cultural world there.

Views Bangladesh: Tell us about the book fair that takes place in New York related to Bangladesh. How is that event organized?
Ahmad Mazhar: The book fair that takes place in New York is entirely Bangladeshi. There is no reason to call it an American book fair. It's a book fair for Bengalis, for Bangladeshis. However, there are some differences in how the events are conducted there. They try to adhere to American rules and culture.

Views Bangladesh: What impact does this book fair have on the Bengali community there?
Ahmad Mazhar: There is an impact for sure. The sale of Bengali books is increasing. Many publishers are participating. However, if you think about it from a business perspective, it's not like that. Business doesn't work like that. However, there is establishment of communication, integration.

Views Bangladesh: Most of the time, when people from Bangladesh visit there, it seems that there is a strong influence of family ties. Why is that?
Ahmad Mazhar: One reason for this is that not everyone can get a visa. There is a committee there that decides who will be taken. They determine how many authors need to be taken, how much money needs to be spent, and they lack the capability to spend that money. So, they decide based on certain circumstances which authors should go, they search for them. However, they try to invite two famous authors to attract readers and visitors to the fair.

Views Bangladesh: When you visit Bangladesh every year, what changes do you notice?
Ahmad Mazhar: Since I come every year, I don't specifically notice any changes. I observe some basic changes, but I don't aim to notice any cultural changes.