Singing the triumph of humanity, he wrote- 'Singing is the song of equality / There is nothing greater than man, not something sublime ...'. Putting man and man's heart above all else, he uttered - 'There is no temple-Kaaba greater than this heart'. Again a thunderous call came out of his pen - 'Wake up, hunger-prisoner, get up as much as the world is deprived of its destiny'. In Bangladesh he has been given the honor of national poet. Today is 12 Bhadra; today is the 45th death anniversary of Kazi Nazrul Islam, the immortal poet of love and rebellion.
Kazi Nazrul Islam was born on 11 Jaistha of 1306 BS in Churulia, Burdwan district of undivided Bengal. He breathed his last on this day(12 Bhadra) in 1363 BS at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University Hospital (former PG Hospital). The poet was buried with state honor next to the central mosque of Dhaka University.
President Mohammad Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have given separate messages on the occasion of the death anniversary of national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam. BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir also gave a separate statement.
Nazrul's poetry and songs have inspired the people from the anti-colonial movement to the independence struggle of Bangladesh. He wrote Islamic ghazals and Shyama music in a non-communal spirit. A new horizon was opened in Bengali literature and music by the hand of the national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam. Literature became rich. He did not confine himself to poetry and song; He also wrote plays and novels. He also enriched Bengali children's literature.
Nazrul, with a distinctive feature in his poems, songs and novels, was vocal in his subjugated India against communalism, imperialism and colonial rule. He also spent time in jail writing poems. Nazrul joined the British Indian Army in the First World War in 1917 and remained active on the battlefield till March 1920. In November 1921, he joined the process of forming the Communist Party of India with Muzaffar Ahmed. During this time he composed his famous poems 'Vidrohi' and ' Shikol Bhangar Gaan'. After his imprisonment in late 1922, he withdrew from the process of forming the Communist Party. However, in 1926, at the request of Muzaffar Ahmed, he translated Communist International Music (Jago Anshan-Bandi), which became very popular. His song 'Chal Chal Chal! / Urdho Gagane Baje Madal' is a war song of Bangladesh. One by one he wrote 'Agniveena', 'Bisher Banshi', 'Chakrabak', 'Sanchita', 'Praloy Shikha', 'Maru Bhaskar', 'Dolanchampa', 'Bhangar Gaan', 'Samyavadi', 'Puber Hawa', 'Bather Dan', 'Rikter Bedan', 'Bandhanhara', 'Mirttukhuda', 'Kuhelika' etc.
Regarding Nazrul's work, Professor Rafiqul Islam, an expert on Nazrul and president of the Bangla Academy, said that Nazrul had extensively captured the establishment of a republic in Turkey under the leadership of Kamal Pasha, the socialist revolution in Russia and the wave of anti-British movement in India. At that time he called for the revival of the fanatic Muslims and his role in this was like that of a strong leader.
Poet Nazrul and his family were brought to Bangladesh on 24 May 1972 on the initiative of the then President of Independent Bangladesh Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman with the permission of the Government of India. He was given the status of national poet. On 9 December 1974, Dhaka University conferred the title of D.Lit on Kazi Nazrul for his contribution to Bengali literature and culture. He was awarded the Ekushey Padak on February 21 of the same year. Earlier, in 1945, the Kolkata University awarded him with the Jagattarini Gold Medal for his contribution to Bengali literature and culture. In 1960, the Government of India awarded him the Padma Bhushan.
Various social, cultural, political and professional organizations have taken an elaborate programs on the occasion of the death anniversary of the national poet. The program includes wreath-laying at the tomb of the poet adjacent to the Dhaka University Mosque. Kabi Nazrul Institute, Bangla Academy have organized discussion meetings and cultural programs. Dhaka University has organized rallies and discussion meetings. Besides, a discussion meeting will be organized by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University and ‘Nazrul Smriti Kakkha’ will be inaugurated. Bangladesh Betar, Television and various private television channels have taken initiative to broadcast special programs on the occasion of Nazrul’s death anniversary.