Consuming Cultural Hegemony by Harisur Rahman

Author:Harisur Rahman
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9783030317072
Publisher: Springer International Publishing

Cartoons, games

15

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Software, Bengali music and dramas

5

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Source Author

As for the supply of CD/DVDs from wholesalers to retailers, various methods are used. In Dhaka, CD/DVDs are distributed mainly through the staff of the wholesalers or by “bag owners.” Some retail sellers visit the wholesale market of their own volition to buy CD/DVDs. Freelance “bag parties” buy CD/DVDs from the wholesalers and sell them to the retailers. In doing so, they make a profit by taking advantage of the management structure of the supply chain. Freelance “bag parties” distribute the latest movies along with other assorted items. While I carried out observation in a retail DVD shop in the Mouchak area of Dhaka, I met a freelance “bag owner” who would bring Indian films regularly to that shop. He had a good relationship with the salesperson and owner of that shop. He would bring in CD/DVDs of Bollywood and Hollywood films almost every week. Some CD/DVD sellers keep the mobile contact number of a “bag party” to be able to ask for certain DVD/CDs on demand.

Outside Dhaka, CD/DVDs are sent via courier. To send by courier to any part of the country, a small packet costs BDT 75 (USD 0.93), a medium packet costs BDT 120 (USD 1.5) and the larger packet costs BDT 150 (USD 1.88). After answering a mobile call from a local retailer, the wholesaler in Dhaka sends the requested number of CD/DVDs via courier. The courier keeps the package in its local office for 10–15 days until it is picked up by the local purchaser. The courier collects the money from the buyer and takes the money back to Dhaka. The courier receives a commission for mediating the transaction and the rest of the money is given to the wholesaler in Dhaka. For every BDT 1000 (USD 12.5), courier charges BDT 10 (USD 0.13).

During my observation in different CD/DVD stores, I also counted the number of different items sold to customers to get an idea of the demand for various types of products. From my observational data, given in Fig. 5.3, it is obvious that the preference for Hindi films (39%) is much higher than for English films (27%) and Indian Bengali films (16%). Bangladeshi alternative films are in fourth place at 10%, while Bangladeshi commercial films are the least sought-after items, being virtually non-existent or invisible in most retail CD/DVD stores in Dhaka.

Fig. 5.3Demand for films in CD/DVD stores

(Source Author)

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