40th death anniversary of national poet being observed

MNA Feature Desk: The 40th death anniversary of national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam is being observed on Saturday with due respect.

Nazrul, popularly known as Bidrohi Kabi, through his powerful poems had inspired the people to fight against all kinds of odds and injustice and repression during the colonial rule.

Nazrul’s songs and poems were also a great source of inspiration for the freedom fighters during the country’s Liberation War in 1971.

On August 27, 1976, the poet passed away in Dhaka at the age of 77 after suffering from a long ailment. Different socio-cultural and political organizations have chalked out elaborate programs to observe the day.

Teachers and students of Dhaka University (DU) placed wreaths at the grave of the national poet in the morning. Besides, a discussion will be held there where DU Vice-chancellor Dr AAMS Arefin Siddique will be present.

In the evening, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) will arrange a discussion and cultural programme where Cultural Affairs Secretary Aktari Mamtaz will be present as the chief guest.

Bangla Academy will organize a solo-lecture session followed by a cultural show at its Poet Shamsur Rahman auditorium at 4 pm.

Born into a Bengali Muslim Kazi family, Nazrul received religious education and as a young man worked as a muezzin at a local mosque. He learned about poetry, drama, and literature while working with the rural theatrical group Letor Dal.

After serving in the British Indian Army in the Middle East during World War I, Nazrul established himself as a journalist in Calcutta. He assailed the British Raj in India and preached revolution through his poetic works, such as Bidrohi and Bhangar Gaan as well as his publication Dhumketu.

His nationalist activism in the Indian independence movement led to his frequent imprisonment by British authorities. While in prison, Nazrul wrote the Rajbandir Jabanbandi. Exploring the life and conditions of the downtrodden masses of the Indian subcontinent, Nazrul worked for their emancipation.

His writings greatly inspired the Bengalis during the Bangladesh Liberation War. Bangladeshi literary critic Azfar Hussain characterized Kazi Nazrul Islam as one of the greatest revolutionary poets in the world.