C T Online Desk: The 126th birth anniversary of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam will be observed across the country today in a befitting manner through various programmes.
Nazrul – a poet, novelist, lyricist, composer, playwright, and journalist– is one of the most celebrated cultural icons of the nation.
In his short artistic career of just 20 years, he penned at least 3,174 songs, 600 poems, three novels and 43 essays.
His fiery poems made him a rebel poet and inspired the subjugated masses to fight against the oppression and injustice of British colonial rule.
And the nation got inspirations from his poems and songs during the Liberation War and all democratic movements and struggles.
Besides, Nazrul’s raga-based songs refined their taste and encouraged them to experience the eternal beauty of love.
Following the tradition of past years, the government, different cultural and socio-political organisations will arrange numerous programmes on the day to remember Kazi Nazrul Islam and celebrate his creations.
Dhaka University Vice-chancellor Prof Dr Niaz Ahmed Khan, delegation of different political parties, family members of the poet, activists of different social and cultural organisations and people from all walks of life will place wreaths on the grave of the poet on Dhaka University (DU) campus.
DU, Bangla Academy, Nazrul Institute, Bangladesh Jatiya Jadughar, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Chhayanaut and many other organisations will arrange a series of programmes marking the day.
Bangladesh Television and private television channels and Bangladesh Betar and FM radio stations will telecast and air special programmes to mark the occasion. Newspapers will publish special contents, highlighting the life and works of the national poet.
Born on 25 May 1899 at Churulia village in Burdwan (Bardhaman) district of West Bengal in undivided India, Nazrul had to discontinue his study at an early age to earn his living as his father died when he was only 11.
Initially, he had joined a professional Leto troupe where he was introduced to the richness of Bangla and Sanskrit literature. A year later, he resumed education and got enrolled in Matharun English School but dropped out from Class VI due to poverty.
This time, he worked with a Kabi Gaan troupe and subsequently took up a job at a bakery. While working there, Nazrul started writing poems and his talent soon grabbed the attention of a police officer named Kazi Rafizullah, who gave him shelter at his house in Mymensingh’s Trishal in 1914, and enrolled him in Class VII at Darirampur School.
He joined the British Army in 1917. During his two and a half years of service, the young poet was introduced to Persian literature and learned to play different instruments following notation.
