Nazrul’s 40th death anniv being observed

The 40th death anniversary of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam is being observed on Saturday.

Different socio-cultural organisations have chalked out various programmes to mark the day. State-run and private television channels will also air special programmes.

Besides, special prayers will be offered at the poet’s grave and a discussion will be held there where DU Vice-chancellor Dr AAMS Arefin Siddique will be present.

Nazrul, who enriched the Bengali language and literature with his astounding talent and merit, died in on August 27 at the age of 77.

He produced a large body of poetry and music with themes that included religious devotion and spiritual rebellion against fascism and oppression.

Nazrul’s activism for political and social justice earned him the title of the ‘Rebel Poet’. His compositions form the avant-garde genre of Nazrul Sangeet (Music of Nazrul).

In addition to being revered in Bangladesh, he is also commemorated and revered in India, especially in West Bengal and Tripura.

He was born on May 24, 1899 (11th Jaishthya, 1306) in Churulia village under Asansol of Burdwan in India’s West Bengal.