The 42nd death anniversary of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam was observed yesterday in a befitting manner.
The legendary Bangali poet breathed his last on Bhadra 12 in 1383 of the Bangla calendar – August 29, 1976 on the Gregorian calendar – at what is now Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University Hospital in Dhaka.
According to a wish he had expressed in one of his poems, the poet was buried beside a mosque on the Dhaka University (DU) campus.
To observe the day, many political parties and sociocultural and professional organizations chalked out elaborate programs yesterday, reports BSS.
The day began with a Quran recitation after Fazr prayers at the DU Central Mosque, close to where the poet lies in eternal rest.
Later at 7:15am, DU teachers, students and employees assembled in front of the Aparajeyo Bangla sculpture and brought out a procession on the campus, led by Pro-Vice-Chancellor Prof Muhammad Samad, and walked up to the poet’s grave, where they paid tribute by placing wreaths and offering a special prayer.
A discussion was also held at the university with the pro-VC in the chair, and conducted by Bangla Department Chairman Prof Bismadeb Chowdhury.
Nazrul researcher and National Prof Dr Rafiqul Islam, DU Teachers’ Association (DUTA) President Prof ASM Maksud Kamal, Proctor Prof AKM Golam Rabbani, Department of Music Chairperson Tumpa Samaddar and Associate Professor Dr Mohsina Akter Khanam (Leena Tapashi) were also present on the occasion, among others.
A cultural function featuring Nazrul’s work was organized later in the day.
Leaders and workers of the ruling Awami League also paid tribute to the poet by placing wreaths at his grave.
Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader, Presidium Member Sahara Khatun, and Joint General Secretaries Dr Dipu Moni and Jahangir Kabir Nanak were among the leaders who paid the tributes.
The Ministry of Cultural Affairs, Bangla Academy, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, several associate bodies of the Awami League, Jatiya Kabita Parishad, the Department of Public Libraries, Bangladesh Udichi Shilpigosthi, Nazrul Institute and Bangabandhu Sangskritik Jote also paid tribute at Nazrul’s grave.
The Shilpakala Academy arranged a discussion and musical function at its Chitrashala auditorium to commemorate the occasion.
Famously known as the Rebel Poet, Nazrul was a lyricist, musician, revolutionist and philosopher. His poems and songs were a source of inspiration for the Bangali nation during the Liberation War in 1971, and all subsequent democratic movements and struggles.
Nazrul wrote nearly 3,000 songs and composed many of them, which are now known as Nazrul Geeti or Nazrul Sangeet.
After the independence of Bangladesh, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman brought Nazrul and his family to Dhaka from Kolkata, and ensured living arrangement with state honours.
Bangabandhu also provided a residence to the poet’s family in Dhaka’s Dhanmondi area.
In January 1976, he was accorded Bangladeshi citizenship.
