Dhaka, May 24 (bdnews24.com) -- He came with a war cry against the British colonial rulers of India. He shone the light of humanity and advocated an egalitarian society free of exploitation. He is popularly known as the rebel poet of Bengal: Kazi Nazrul Islam.
Bangladesh honoured him as national poet. His clarion call against the British raj resounded in the souls and minds of millions of Bengal, which shook the ruthless ruling class.
The nation celebrates the 108th birth anniversary of the ever-young poet of rebellion and humanity on Friday.
Nazrul was born in Churulia village under Bardwan district of West Bengal on May 24, 1899 (Jhaistha 11, 1306 Bangla year).
His courageous compositions were possible only for his unmatched brilliance. His magnificent poetry and songs opened up an avenue for the creation of modern poems and songs in the 1930s.
Nazrul created a new stream of Bangla songs—Bangla ghazal. He can be categorised as the pioneer of a new stream in Bangla literature—poems infused with the spirit of rebellion.
Nazrul was nicknamed Dukhu Miah (The Sad One), which actually translates his life. His father Kazi Fakir Ahmed was an imam for a mosque. After the death of his father, he became the imam of the mosque to earn livelihood.
Alongside his job of an imam, he continued studying in village school and passed the lower secondary examination.
Later, the rebel poet joined the group of "Leto singers".
In 1910, Nazrul left the Leto Group and enrolled in the Raniganj Searsol Raj School in Bardwan. But financial difficulties stopped his pursuit for study after class six.
At some point in his life, he got acquainted with an inspector of police at Mymensingh. Nazrul went to Mymensingh with him. He admitted Nazrul into Darirampur School of Trishal.
In 1917 he left school as student of class ten and joined the Indian army. He went to Karachi as a member of the 49 Bengal Regiment. Alongside army duty he continued writing poetry.
For the years in army, he got promoted to sergeant from corporal. He read extensively. He read Tagore, Saratchandra Chatterjee, Parsi poets Hafiz, Rumi, Omar Khayyam and many more.
Nazrul left the army in 1920. On June 18, 1921 Nazrul married Nargis, niece of Ali Akbar Khan in Comilla.
At the time, Nazrul got actively involved with anti-British non-cooperation movement. Alongside other literary activities he composed songs and wrote poems against captivity.
Bidrohi
was published in 1922.
In 1921, Nazrul came to visit Comilla and was introduced to Promila Devi. The acquaintance blossomed into love. They got married on April 25, 1924.
Nazrul started composing songs bountifully. He was appointed composer, lyricist and musician to His Master's Voice in 1928. He got involved with film in 1934.
The rebel poet fell prey to complex diseases in the 1940s.
After independence, the poet and his family were brought to Dhaka on May 24, 1972. In a special convocation on Dec 9, 1974, Dhaka University honoured him with honorary "D.Lit" for his unforgettable contributions to Bangla literature.
He was awarded Ekushey Padak in 1976. Nazrul died in PG Hospital on Aug 29, 1976.
The national poet was buried with state honour on the north side of Dhaka University.
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