Pune/Pragti Karambelkar : The popularity of online magazines has grown significantly in recent times due to the rapid expansion of digital media and the ubiquitous use of devices. As a result of easy availability, low cost, immediacy, readership is rapidly shifting from traditional print editions to digital editions. Many magazines on various subjects such as science, literature, art, health, finance and travel are now being published in digital form in large numbers and their readership is also increasing.
While the demand for print magazines has been somewhat sustained, publishers have explained that it is declining. There is a steady increase in online subscription across the country, and advertisements on digital media are also getting a good response. Declining use of paper as an alternative is proving to be a win-win for publishers.
In this background, the Marathi literary world is expressing concern. In a recent interview in Pune, writer Vishwas Patil, president of the 99th Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Sammelan, eloquently stated that the tradition of printed Marathi magazines has almost died out and there has been a large panchayat of new writers. According to him, print magazines were the first and most important platforms for budding writers. The decline of these forums is limiting opportunities for writing, making it difficult for new voices to emerge.
Digital magazines are preferred due to availability
One of the biggest advantages of digital magazines is their easy availability. No matter where the reader is, the magazine can be downloaded and read within seconds on a smartphone, tablet or laptop. These magazines are not only economically affordable, but also offer multimedia features like videos, infographics, audio clips, etc., available at a lower cost than the printed editions. This makes the reading experience more engaging and informative.
