Shawdesh Desk:

Today is the 47th anniversary of the death of national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam.

The death anniversary of Nazrul, widely known as the rebel poet, is observed in Bangladesh on Bhadra 12, according to the Bangladeshi Bangla calendar.

Different government, socio-cultural organisations, TV channels and radio stations will arrange programmes to commemorate the life and work of the national poet.

The organisations will pay tribute to Nazrul placing floral wreaths at the poet’s grave beside Dhaka University Central Mosque in the morning.

The cultural affairs ministry, Kabi Nazrul Institute, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Bangla Academy, Chhayanaut, Dhaka University and others will place floral wreaths at the grave of Nazrul in the morning at 6:45am.

Dhaka University, Bangla Academy and Chhayanaut will arrange special programmes on its premises to pay tribute to Nazrul.

Bangladesh Betar, Bangladesh Television and private television channels and radio stations will also air special programmes highlighting Nazrul’s life and works.

Kazi Nazrul Islam, born into a poor family at Churulia village of Burdwan in West Bengal of India on Jyaishtha 11, 1306, had to leave his study at an early age for earning his living.

He left school and joined a Churulia-based professional ‘leto’ troupe to earn his living at the age of nine.

While working for the troupe, he was introduced to Bangla and Sanskrit literature. Although he resumed education a year later and got enrolled at Matharun English School, again he dropped out of the school in Class VI for poverty.

Later, he worked with a ‘kabi gaan’ troupe and also took up a job at a bakery.

Nazrul’s talent grabbed the attention of police officer Kazi Rafizullah, who gave him shelter at his house at Trishal in Mymensingh in 1914 and got him enrolled in Class VII at Darirampur School.

He joined the British Army in 1917 as a soldier. While serving there for two years and a half, the young poet was introduced to Persian literature and learnt to play different instruments following notation.

Nazrul’s literary practice took a formal shape while serving as a soldier. His first poem Mukti, first story Bounduler Atmakahini, and a number of other writings such as Byathar Dan and Meher Nigar were published during that time.

His life as a journalist began with the publication of the evening daily Nabajug in 1920. He started a fortnightly magazine Dhumketu in 1922.

Nazrul was jailed for one year for his political poem Anandamoyeer Agomone. While in prison, the poet wrote his masterpieces Aj Srishti Sukher Ullashe, Obhishap, Jater Namey Bajjati, Bhangar Gaan and Shikal Para Chhal.

The rebel poet is particularly noted for his unique and unparalleled poem Bidrohi. In his creative life, Nazrul also worked as a lyricist and music composer.

According to the Nazrul Institute, Nazrul penned 3,174 songs, 600 poems, three novels and 43 essays in his short artistic career of just over 20 years, before he lost his speech in 1941.

Nazrul was brought to Dhaka from Kolkata in May 1972.

Dhaka University awarded the poet the honorary degree of D Lit in 1974 for his contribution to Bangla literature and culture. The Bangladesh government granted him citizenship of Bangladesh in 1976 and awarded him the Ekushey Padak.

Nazrul died in Dhaka on Bhadra 12, 1383.