The 116th birth anniversary of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam is being celebrated in a befitting manner across the country.
The government and various socio-cultural and political organisations have chalked out elaborate programmes to observe the day.
The programmes include placing of wreaths at the poet's grave on the premises of Dhaka University Mosque, discussions, rallies and cultural functions.
Born on May 25 in 1899 at village Churulia in Burdwan district of West Bengal in India, Nazrul through his fiery poems had inspired the people to fight against injustice and repression of the colonial rule.
The fearless voice of the poet also earned him the wrath of the British rulers who had jailed him several times for igniting people's desire for independence through his poems.
Nazrul's songs and poems were also great sources of inspiration for the freedom fighters during the Liberation War in 1971.
President Abdul Hamid, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia have issued separate message highlighting the colourful life of the poet and his contributions to Bengali language and literature.
Special programmes on Nazrul's works, including his plays, poetry and songs, will be broadcast on TV channels and radio stations marking the national poet's birthday.
