Rebel Poet National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam | |
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কাজী নজরুল ইসলাম | |
 Kazi Nazrul Islam in 1926,Chittagong | |
| Pronunciation | [kad͡ʒinod͡ʒɾulislam] |
| Born | |
| Died | 29 August 1976(1976-08-29) (aged 77) Dhaka, Bangladesh |
| Resting place | Mausoleum of Kazi Nazrul Islam, Bangladesh 23°44′06″N90°23′42″E / 23.7351°N 90.3950°E /23.7351; 90.3950 |
| Other names | Dukhu Mia |
| Citizenship |
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| Occupations |
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| Years active | 1920–1942 |
| Works | |
| Political party | Workers and Peasants Party[4][5][6] |
| Movement | Bengali Renaissance |
| Criminal charges | Sedition |
| Criminal penalty | 3-monthimprisonment |
| Spouses | |
| Children |
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| Parents |
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| Awards |
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| Writing career | |
| Pen name | Dhūmketu |
| Nickname | Dukhumian, Tarakkhyapa |
| Language | |
| Period | Modern |
| Genre |
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| Subject |
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| Notable works | |
| Musical career | |
| Genres | |
| Instruments | |
| Discography | Full list |
| Labels | |
| Formerly of | Leto group |
Musical artist | |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance |  British Empire |
| Service |  British Indian Army |
| Years of service | 1917–1920 |
| Rank |  Havildar (Sergeant) |
| Unit | 49th Bengalee Regiment[7] |
| Battles / wars | World War I |
| Signature | |
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Kazi Nazrul Islam (Bengali:কাজী নজরুল ইসলাম,pronounced[kad͡ʒiˈnod͡ʒɾulislam]ⓘ; 24 May 1899[b] – 29 August 1976) was a Bengali poet, short story writer, journalist, lyricist and musician.[8] He is thenational poet ofBangladesh.[9] Nazrul produced alarge body of poetry, music, messages, novels, and stories with themes, that included equality, justice, anti-imperialism, humanity, rebellion against oppression and religious devotion.[10] Nazrul Islam's activism for political and social justice as well as writing a poem titled as "Bidrohī", meaning "the rebel" in Bengali, earned him the title of "Bidrohī Kôbi" (Rebel Poet).[11] His compositions form theavant-garde music genre ofNazrul Gīti (Music of Nazrul).[c]
Born into aBengali MuslimKazi family fromChurulia inBurdwan district inBengal Presidency (now inWest Bengal, India),[2] Nazrul Islam received religious education and as a young man worked as amuezzin at a local mosque. He learned about poetry, drama, and literature while working with the rural theatrical groupLeṭor Dôl,Leṭo being a folk song genre of West Bengal[16] usually performed by the people from Muslim community of the region. He joined theBritish Indian Army in 1917 and was posted in Karachi. Nazrul Islam established himself as a journalist inCalcutta after the war ended. He criticised theBritish Raj and called for revolution through his famous poetic works, such as"Bidrohī" ('The Rebel') and "Bhangar Gan" ('The Song of Destruction'),[17] as well as in his publicationDhūmketu ('The Comet'). His nationalist activism inIndian independence movement led to his frequent imprisonment by the colonial British authorities. While in prison, Nazrul Islam wrote the "Rajbôndīr Jôbanbôndī" ('Deposition of a Political Prisoner').[18] His writings greatly inspiredBengalis ofEast Pakistan during theBangladesh Liberation War.
Nazrul Islam's writings explored themes such as freedom, humanity, love, and revolution. He opposed all forms of bigotry and fundamentalism, including religious,caste-based and gender-based.[19] Nazrul wrote short stories, novels, and essays but is best known for his songs and poems. He introduced theghazal songs in the Bengali language[20][21][22][23] and is also known for his extensive use ofArabic andPersian influencedBengali words in his works.[24][25][26]
Nazrul Islam wrote and composed music for nearly 4,000 songs (many recorded onGramophone Company Indiagramophone records),[27] collectively known asNazrul Gīti. In 1942 at the age of 43, he began to be affected by an unknown disease, losing his voice and memory. A medical team inVienna diagnosed the disease asPick's disease,[28] a rare incurableneurodegenerative disease. It caused Nazrul Islam's health to decline steadily and forced him to live in isolation. He was also admitted inRanchi (Jharkhand) psychiatric hospital for many years. The ailing Indian poet was taken toBangladesh with the consent of theGovernment of India on 24 May 1972, at the invitation of theGovernment of Bangladesh.[29] His family accompanied him and relocated toDhaka. Later, on 18 February 1976, the citizenship ofBangladesh was conferred upon him.[3] He died on 29 August 1976.[22]
Nazrul Islam was born on Wednesday 24 May 1899[30][31] in the village ofChurulia,Asansol Sadar,Paschim Bardhaman district of theBengal Presidency (now inWest Bengal, India). He was born into theBengali MuslimTaluqdar family of Churulia and was the second of three sons and a daughter.[32][33] Nazrul Islam's father Kazi Faqeer Ahmed was theimam and caretaker of the local Pirpukur mosque and mausoleum of Haji Pahlawan.[34] Nazrul Islam's mother was Zahida Khatun; he had two brothers, Kazi Saahibjaan and Kazi Ali Hussain, and a sister, Umme Kulsum. He was nicknamedDukhu Miañ (দুখু মিঞা; literally, 'the one with grief'). Nazrul Islam studied at amaktab andmadrasa, run by a mosque and adargah respectively, where he studied theQuran,Hadith,Islamic philosophy, and theology. Following his father's death in 1908, the then 10 year old Nazrul Islam took his father's place as a caretaker of the mosque to support his family. He also assisted teachers in the school. He later worked as themuezzin at the mosque.[1][35]
Attracted to folk theatre, Nazrul Islam joined aleto (travelling theatrical group) run by his uncle Fazle Karim. He worked and travelled with them, learning to act, as well as writing songs and poems for the plays and musicals.[30] Through his work and experiences, Nazrul Islam began studying Bengali andSanskrit literature, as well as Hindu scriptures such as thePuranas. Nazrul Islam composed folk plays for the group, which includedChāshār Shōng ('the drama of a peasant'), and plays about characters from theMahabharata includingShokunībōdh ('the Killing ofShakuni), Rājā Judhisthirer Shōng ('the drama of KingYudhishthira),Dātā Kōrno ('the philanthropicKarna'), Ākbōr Bādshāh ('Akbar the emperor'),Kobi Kālidās ('poetKalidas'),Bidyan Hutum ('the learned owl'), andRājputrer Shōng ('the prince's sorrow').[1]
In 1910, Nazrul Islam left the troupe and enrolled at theSearsole Raj High School inRaniganj. In school, he was influenced by his teacher, aJugantar activist, Nibaran Chandra Ghatak, and began a lifelong friendship with fellow author Sailajananda Mukhopadhyay, who was his classmate. He later transferred to the Mathrun High English School, studying under the headmaster and poetKumud Ranjan Mullick. Unable to continue paying his school fees, Nazrul Islam left the school and joined a group ofkaviyals. Later he took jobs as a cook at Wahid Confectionery, a well-known bakery of the region, and at a tea stall in the town of Asansol. In 1914, Nazrul Islam studied in the Darirampur School (now Govt. Nazrul Academy) inTrishal,Mymensingh District. Amongst other subjects, Nazrul Islam studied Bengali,Sanskrit, Arabic,Persian literature andHindustani classical music under teachers who were impressed by his dedication and skill.[1][36][37]
Nazrul Islam studied up to grade 10 but did not appear for thematriculation pre-test examination; instead in 1917, he joined theBritish Indian Army at the age of eighteen. He had two primary motivations for joining the British Indian Army: first, a youthful desire for adventure and, second, an interest in the politics of the time.[38] Attached to the 49thBengal Regiment, he was posted to theKarachi Cantonment, where he wrote his first prose and poetry. Although he never saw active fighting, he rose in rank from corporal tohavildar (sergeant), and served asquartermaster for hisbattalion.[39]
During this period, Nazrul Islam read extensively the works ofRabindranath Tagore andSarat Chandra Chattopadhyay, as well as the Persian poetsHafez,Omar Khayyam, andRumi.[40][41] He learned Persian poetry from the regiment'sPunjabiMoulvi, practiced music, and pursued his literary interests. His first prose work,"Life of a Vagabond" ('Baunduler Atmakahini), was published in May 1919. His poem "Mukti" ("মুক্তি", 'Freedom') was published by theBengali Muslim Literary Journal (Bangiya Mussalman Sahitya Samiti) in July 1919.[1]
I am the unutterable grief,
I am the trembling first touch of the virgin,
I am the throbbing tenderness of her first stolen kiss.
I am the fleeting glance of the veiled beloved,
I am her constant surreptitious gaze...
I am the burning volcano in the bosom of the earth,
I am the wildfire of the woods,
I am Hell's mad terrific sea of wrath!
I ride on the wings of lightning with joy and profundity,
I scatter misery and fear all around,
I bring earthquakes on this world!"(8th stanza)"
I am the rebel eternal,
I raise my head beyond this world,
High, ever erect and alone!
Kazi Nazrul Islam joined the army in late 1917. Nazrul Islam left the British Indian army in 1920, when the 49th Bengal Regiment was disbanded,[43] and settled inCalcutta. He joined the staff of theBangiya Mussalman Sahitya Samiti ("Bengali Muslim Literary Society").[44] He published his first novelBandhan-hara (বাঁধন-হারা, 'Freedom from Bondage') in 1920, on which he continued to work over the next seven years.[1] His first collection of poems, which included "Bodhan", "Shat-il-Arab", "Kheya-parerTarani", and "Badal Prater Sharab", received critical acclaim.[1]
Nazrul Islam grew close to other young Muslim writers, while working at the Bengali Muslim Literary Society, includingMohammad Mozammel Haq,Kazi Abdul Wadud, andMuhammad Shahidullah. Nazrul Islam and Muhammad Shahidullah remained close throughout their lives. He was a regular at the social clubs for Calcutta's writers, poets, and intellectuals such as the Gajendar Adda and the Bharatiya Adda. Nazrul did not have the formal education of Rabindranath and as a result his poems did not follow the literary practices established by Rabindranath. Due to this he faced criticism from followers of Rabindranath.[45] Despite their differences, Nazrul looked to Rabindranath Tagore as a mentor.[1] In 1921, Nazrul Islam was engaged to Nargis, the niece of a well-known Muslim publisher, Ali Akbar Khan, in Daulatpur,Comilla.[46] On 18 June 1921, the day of the wedding, upon public insistence by Khan that the term "Nazrul must reside in Daulatpur after marriage" be included in the marriage contract, Nazrul Islam walked away from the wedding ceremony.[47]
Nazrul Islam reached the peak of his fame in 1922 withBidrohi (The Rebel), which remains his most famous work, winning the admiration of India's literary society for his description of a rebel.[citation needed] Published in theBijli(বিজলী, "Lightning") magazine, the rebellious language and theme were well received, coinciding with theNon-Cooperation Movement – the first mass nationalist campaign ofcivil disobedience against British rule.[1] Nazrul Islam explores the different forces at work in a rebel, the destroyer, and the preserver who is able to express rage as well as beauty and sensitivity. He followed up by writingPralayollas ('Destructive Euphoria'), and his first anthology of poems, theAgni-veena ("অগ্নি-বীণা", 'Lyre of Fire') in 1922, which enjoyed commercial and critical success. He also published a volume of short stories, theByathar Dan "ব্যথার দান" ('Gift of Sorrow'),[48] andYugbani ("যুগবাণী"), an anthology of essays.[49][50]
Nazrul Islam started a bi-weekly magazine,Dhumketu ("ধূমকেতু", 'Comet') on 12 August 1922 that was critical of the British Empire. Earning the moniker of the "rebel poet", Nazrul Islam aroused the suspicion of British Raj authorities.[30][51] The Police raided the office ofDhumketu after it published "Anondomoyeer Agomone" ("আনন্দময়ীর আগমনে"), a political poem, in September 1922. Nazrul Islam was arrested on 23 January 1923 and charged withsedition.[51] He presented a long argument in the court, an excerpt of what he said:
I have been accused of sedition... To plead for me, the king of all kings, the judge of all judges, the eternal truth the living God... I am a poet; I have been sent by God to express the unexpressed, to portray the unportrayed. It is God who is heard through the voice of the poet... I am an instrument of God. The instrument is not unbreakable, but who is there to break God?[52]
On 14 April 1923, he was moved fromAlipore Jail toHooghly Jail inHooghly. He began a 40-day fast to protest mistreatment by the British jail superintendent, breaking his fast more than a month later and eventually being released from prison in December 1923. Nazrul Islam composed numerous poems and songs during his period of imprisonment. In the 1920s, the British Indian government banned many of his writings.[1]Rabindranath Tagore dedicated his play "Basanta" to Nazrul Islam in 1923. Nazrul Islam wrote the poem "Aj Srishti Shukher Ullashe" to thank Tagore.[53] His bookBisher Banshi ('The Flute of Poison'), published in August 1924,[54] was banned by theBritish Raj.[55]Bisher Banshi called for rebellion in India against the British Raj.[56]Bisher Banshi was read and distributed in secret following the ban.[57]
Nazrul Islam was a critic of theKhilafat Movement in British India which he condemned as "hollowreligious fundamentalism".[1] His rebellious expression extended to rigid orthodoxy in the name of religion and politics.[58] He also criticised theIndian National Congress for not embracing outright political independence from theBritish Empire. Nazrul became active in encouraging people to agitate against British rule, and joined the Bengal state unit of the Indian National Congress.[1] Along withMuzaffar Ahmed, Nazrul also helped organise theSramik Praja Swaraj Dal (Workers and Peasants Party), a socialist political party committed to national independence and the service of the working class. On 16 December 1925, Nazrul began publishing theLangal ('Plough'), a weekly, and served as its chief editor.[1]
During his visit toComilla in 1921, Nazrul Islam met a young Bengali Hindu woman, Pramila Devi, with whom he fell in love, and they married on 25 April 1924.Brahmo Samaj criticised Pramila, a member of the Brahmo Samaj, for marrying a Muslim. Muslim religious leaders criticised Nazrul Islam for his marriage to a Hindu woman. He also was criticised for his writings. Despite controversy, Nazrul Islam's popularity and reputation as the "rebel poet" increased significantly.[1][59]
With his wife and young son Bulbul, Nazrul Islam settled atGrace Cottage, Krishnanagar inKrishnanagar in 1926. His work began to transform as he wrote poetry and songs that articulated the aspirations of the working class, a sphere of his work known as "mass music".[60]
O poverty, thou hast made me great
Thou hast made me honoured like Christ
With his crown of thorns. Thou hast given me
Courage to reveal all. To thee I owe
My insolent, naked eyes and sharp tongue.
Thy curse has turned my violin to a sword...
O proud saint, thy terrible fire
Has rendered my heaven barren.
O my child, my darling one
I could not give thee even a drop of milk
No right have I to rejoice.
Poverty weeps within my doors forever
As my spouse and my child.
Who will play the flute?
In what his contemporaries regarded as one of his greatest flairs of creativity, Nazrul Islam vastly contributed in profusely enrichingghazals in Bengali, transforming a form of poetry written mainly inPersian andUrdu.[35] Nazrul Islam's recording of Islamic songs was a commercial success and created interest in gramophone companies about publishing his works. A significant impact of Nazrul Islam's work in Bengal was that it made Bengali Muslims more comfortable with the Bengali arts, which used to be dominated by Bengali Hindus.[62] His Islamic songs are popular during Ramadan in Bangladesh. He also wrote devotional songs on the Hindu GoddessKali.[63] Nazrul Islam also composed a number of notableShyamasangeet,Bhajan andKirtan, combining Hindu devotional music.[64] In 1928, Nazrul Islam began working as a lyricist, composer, and music director for theGramophone Company of India.[65] The songs written and music composed by him were broadcast on radio stations across India, including on theIndian Broadcasting Company.[1][66]
I don't see any difference
Between a man and woman
Whatever great or benevolent achievements
That are in this world
Half of that was by woman,
The other half by man.
Nazrul Islam believed in the equality of women, a view his contemporaries considered revolutionary, as expressed in his poem Naari (women).[68] Nazrul Islam's poems strongly emphasised the confluence of the roles of both sexes and their equal importance to life. His poem "Barangana" (Prostitute) stunned society with its depiction of prostitutes who he addresses in the poem as "mother".[69][70]In the poem, Nazrul Islam accepts the prostitute as a human being first, reasoning that this person belonged to the "race of mothers and sisters"; he criticises society's negative views on prostitutes.[71]
An advocate of women rights, Nazrul Islam portrayed both traditional and nontraditional women in his work.[69] He talked about the working poor through his works such as thepoem: 'Poverty' (Daridro).[42][72]
Nazrul Islam wrote thousands of songs, known collectively asNazrul Geeti. The exact number is uncertain. The complete text of 2,260 is known, and the first lines of 2,872 have been collected, but according to musicologistKarunamaya Goswami, it is popularly believed that the total is much higher. Goswami has written that some contemporaries put the number near 4,000.[73]
Nazrul Islam was born a Muslim, but engaged in religious syncretism so often such that he was seen by laymen as only a proud pluralist. Nazrul Islam wrote an editorial inJoog Bani in 1920 about religious pluralism,
Come brother Hindu! Come Musalman! Come Buddhist! Come Christian! Let us transcend all barriers, let us forsake forever all smallness, all lies, all selfishness and let us call brothers as brothers. We shall quarrel no more.
— [74]
In another article entitledHindu Mussalman, published inGanabani on 2 September 1922, he wrote that the religious quarrels were between priests and Imams and not between laymen Muslims and Hindus. He wrote that the Prophets had become property like cattle but they should instead be treated like a light that is for all men.[75]
Nazrul Islam criticised religious fanaticism, denouncing it as evil and inherently irreligious. He wrote about human equality in his writings. He also explored the philosophy of theQur'an andMuhammad by writing about them. Nazrul Islam has been compared toWilliam Butler Yeats bySerajul Islam Choudhury, Bengali literary critic and professor emeritus at theUniversity of Dhaka, for being the first Muslim poet to create imagery and symbolism of Muslim historical figures such asQasim ibn Hasan,Ali,Umar,Kamal Pasha, andMuhammad.[52] His condemnation of extremism and mistreatment of women provoked condemnation from Muslim and Hindufundamentalists who opposed hisliberal views on religion.[77]
Nazrul Islam's mother died in 1928, and his second son, Bulbul, died ofsmallpox the following year. His first son, Krishna Mohammad, had died prematurely. Pramila gave birth to two more sons – Sabyasachi in 1928 and Aniruddha in 1931 – but Nazrul Islam remained grief-stricken and grieved for a long time. His works changed significantly from the rebellious exploration of society to a deeper examination of religious themes. His works in these years led Islamic devotional songs into the mainstream ofBengali folk music, exploring the Islamic practices ofnamaz (prayer),roza (fasting),hajj (pilgrimage), andzakat (charity). He wrote the song "O Mon Romzaner Oi Rozar Sheshe" on fasting during Ramadan.[78] This was regarded by his contemporaries as a significant achievement, asBengali Muslims had been strongly averse to devotional music.[79]
Nazrul Islam was not limited toIslamic devotional music but also wrote Hindu devotional music. He composedAgamanis,Bhajans,Shyama Sangeet, andkirtan.[80][81] Nazrul Islam wrote over 500 Hindu devotional songs.[82] However, a section of Muslims criticised for writing Shyama Sangeet and declared himKafir (infidel). On the other hand, he became displeased with some Hindus for writing devotional songs about Hindu goddesses because he was a Muslim.[83] Nazrul Islam's poetry and songs explored the philosophy of Islam and Hinduism.[75][84] Nazrul Islam's poetry imbibed the passion and creativity ofShakti, which is identified as theBrahman, the personification of primordial energy. He also composed many songs of invocation to LordShiva and the goddessesLakshmi andSaraswati and on the love ofRadha andKrishna.[35] Nazrul Islam was an exponent ofhumanism.[85] Although a Muslim, he named his sons with both Hindu and Muslim names: Krishna Mohammad, Arindam Khaled (Bulbul),Kazi Sabyasachi and Kazi Aniruddha.[86]
In 1930, his bookPralayshikha was banned and he faced charges ofsedition by the British Indian colonial government. He was sent to jail and released in 1931, after theGandhi–Irwin Pact was signed.[55] In 1933, Nazrul Islam published a collection of essays titled "Modern World Literature", in which he analyses different styles and themes of literature. Between 1928 and 1935, he published 10 volumes containing 800 songs, of which more than 600 were based on classicalragas. Almost 100 were folk tunes afterkirtans, and some 30 were patriotic songs. From the time of his return to Kolkata until he fell ill in 1941, Nazrul Islam composed more than 2,600 songs, many of which have been lost.[35] His songs based onBaul,jhumur,Santhali folksongs, jhanpan, or the folk songs ofsnake charmers,bhatiali, andbhaoaia consist of tunes of folk-songs on the one hand and a refined lyric with poetic beauty on the other. Nazrul Islam also wrote and published poems for children.[35]
Nazrul Islam's success soon brought him into Indian theatre and the then-nascentfilm industry.[1] His first film as a director wasDhruba,[87] which made him the first Muslim director of a Bengali film.[55] The filmVidyapati (Master of Knowledge) was produced based on his recorded play in 1936, and Nazrul Islam served as the music director for the filmPatalpuri andGora, (adaptation of Tagore's novel).[88] Nazrul Islam wrote songs and directed music forSachin Sengupta's biographical epic play based on the life ofSiraj-ud-Daula.[89] He worked on the plays "Jahangir" and "Annyapurna" by Monilal Gangopadhyay.[89] In 1939 Nazrul began working for Calcutta Radio, supervising the production and broadcasting of the station's musical programs. He produced critical and analytic documentaries on music, such as "Haramoni" and "Navaraga-malika". Nazrul Islam also wrote a large variety of songs inspired by theragaBhairav.[90]
Nazrul Islam's wife Pramila Devi fell seriously ill in 1939 and was paralysed from the waist down. To provide for his wife's medical treatment, he mortgaged the royalties of his gramophone records and literary works for 400 rupees.[92] He returned to journalism in 1940 by working as chief editor for the daily newspaperNabajug ('New Age'), founded by the Bengali politicianA. K. Fazlul Huq.[92]
On hearing about the death of Rabindranath Tagore on 8 August 1941, a shocked Nazrul Islam composed two poems in Tagore's memory. One of the two poems, "Rabihara" (loss of Rabi, or without Rabi), was broadcast on theAll India Radio.[93] Within months, Nazrul Islam himself fell ill and gradually began losing his power of speech. His behaviour became erratic, he started spending recklessly and fell into financial difficulties. In spite of her own illness, his wife constantly cared for her husband. However, Nazrul Islam's health had seriously deteriorated and he grew increasingly depressed. He received treatment underhomeopathy as well asAyurveda, but little progress was achieved before mental dysfunction intensified and he was admitted to a mental asylum in 1942. Spending four months there without making progress, Nazrul Islam and his family began living a quiet life in India. In 1952, he was transferred to a psychiatric hospital inRanchi. Through the efforts of a large group of admirers who called themselves the "Nazrul Treatment Society",[94] Nazrul Islam and Pramila were sent to London, then to Vienna for treatment.[95] The examining doctors said he had received poor care, and Dr.Hans Hoff, a leadingneurosurgeon in Vienna, diagnosed that Nazrul Islam hadPick's disease. His condition was judged to be incurable, Nazrul Islam returned to Calcutta on 15 December 1953.[95] On 30 June 1962 Pramila died,[55] and Nazrul Islam remained in intensive medical care. He stopped working due to his deteriorating health.[96]
Despite receiving treatment and attention, Nazrul Islam's physical and mental health did not improve; and Nazrul Islam soon died from his long-standing ailments on 29 August 1976. In accordance with a wish he had expressed in one of his poems, he wasburied beside a mosque on the campus of the University of Dhaka.
Controversy has been reported around the funeral of Nazrul Islam. Nazrul Islam's sons requested the Bangladesh High Commission in Delhi to arrange for the return of their father's body to India by an aircraft so that he be buried beside their mother's grave as per her last wishes. A space had been reserved for his burial next to her grave in the poets native village,Churulia. When the sons arrived in Dhaka for the last rites, they found that they were completed without their attendance and that the poet had been buried in Dhaka University. Popular demand continues in West Bengal for the poet to be buried back in India.[97][98]
Bangladesh observed two days of national mourning, and theParliament of India observed a minute of silence in his honour.[99]
According to literary criticSerajul Islam Choudhury, Nazrul Islam's poetry is characterised by abundant use of rhetorical devices, which he employed to convey conviction and sensuousness. He often wrote without care for organisation or polish. His works have often been criticised foregotism, but his admirers counter that they carry more a sense of self-confidence than of ego. They cite his ability to defy God, or rather orthodox conceptions of God, yet maintain an inner, humble devotion to Him.[52] Nazrul Islam's poetry is regarded as rugged but unique in comparison to Tagore's sophisticated style. Nazrul Islam's use ofPersian vocabulary was controversial, but it increased the range of his work.[52]
On 24 May 1972, the newly independent nation of Bangladesh brought Nazrul Islam to live in Dhaka with the consent of theGovernment of India. The government of Bangladesh conferred upon him the status ofnational poet in 1972.[100][101] However it was officially gazetted in 2024.[102][103] In February 1976, during his stay in Bangladesh, he was awarded Bangladeshi citizenship.[1]
He was awarded an HonoraryD.Litt. by the University of Dhaka in 1974 and in 1976. He was awarded theEkushey Padak by the President of Bangladesh JusticeAbu Sadat Mohammad Sayem.[43][55] Many centres of learning and culture in Bangladesh and India had been founded and dedicated to his memory. TheBangladesh Nazrul Sena is a large public organization working for the education of children throughout the country.[104] The Nazrul Endowment provides funding for research into the life and work of Kazi Nazrul Islam in U.S. Universities likeCalifornia State University, Northridge andConnecticut State University.[105][106] Nazrul was awarded the Jagattarini Gold Medal, the highest honour for work in Bengali literature by theUniversity of Calcutta, in 1945 and was awarded thePadma Bhushan, the third-highest civilian award of India, in 1960.[95]
Nazrul Islam's works for children have won acclaim for his use of rich language, imagination, enthusiasm, and an ability to fascinate young readers.[52] Nazrul is regarded for his secularism.[107] His poetry has been translated to several languages including English, Spanish, and Portuguese.[108] The Uzbek poetErkin Vohidov wrote anepic poem about Nazrul Islam entitledRuhlar isyoni (The Rise of the Spirits).[109] A major avenue is named after him in Dhaka, Bangladesh.[110] There is a cultural institution called Nazrul Academy, which is spread throughout Bangladesh. A chair has been named after him in University of Calcutta and the Government of West Bengal has opened aNazrul Tirtha inRajarhat, a cultural centre with library, auditorium and movie theatre dedicated to his memory.[13][111] On 25 May 2020, Google celebrated his 121st birthday with aGoogle Doodle.[112]
Kazi Nazrul Islam was born on Jaistha 11 of the Bengali year 1306, corresponding to May 24, 1899 at village Churulia in Burdwan district of what is now West Bengal.
On February 18, 1976 Nazrul was awarded the citizenship of Bangladesh.
Tripura will be celebrating Nazrul Jayanti on 26 May
পশ্চিম বাংলার এক শ্রেণীর জনপ্রিয় লোক-সঙ্গীত লেটো গান, ইহাকে লাটু গান, লোট্যার গানও বলে৷
Firoza Begum too sang these Bengali ghazals of Nazrul Islam
He is best known for his songs, in which he pioneered new forms such as Bengali ghazals
Nazrul Islam did what no other Muslim poet in modern Bengal had dared to do. He created images and symbols out of the well-known heroes from Muslim history. Thus Tariq and Qasim, Ali and Omar, Hasan and Hussain and even the Prophet himself figure in his poetry as historical beings. He also transformed men like Kamal Pasha and Anwar Pasha into symbols. The method is somewhat similar to the one Yeats employed in his poetry.
Learning by heart the poems of hisAgnibina andBisher Banshi, we hid the books in our breasts and passed them secretly to friends. As far as I remember,Bisher Banshi was banned.
kazi nazrul islam radio.
Nazrul Islam, all the same, faced condemnation and stiff resistance from all quarters, Brits, Hindus and Muslims alike.
and wrote more than 500 devotional Hindu songs.
The rebel poet Kazi Nazrul Islam was crowned in 1972 as the national poet of Bangladesh.
block the nearby Kazi Nazrul Islam Avenue
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Definitions from Wiktionary
Media from Commons
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