DU Correspondent :
The 115th birth anniversary of national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam was observed in a befitting manner across the country on Sunday.
Different socio-cultural organizations chalked out elaborate programmes to celebrate the occasion.
Speakers at a function in the city described Kazi Nazrul Islam as the poet of humanity and non-communalism. The theme for this year’s celebrations was “Nazrul and non-communalism”.
Earlier in the morning different socio-cultural and political organizations placed wreaths at the graveyard of the poet on the Dhaka University (DU) campus.
Joint General Secretary of Bangladesh Awami League Mahbubul Alam Hanif and Cultural Minister Asaduzzaman Noor on behalf of Awami League, Acting Secretary General of BNP Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on behalf of BNP, Nazrul’s sister in-law Khilkhil Kazi on behalf of his family members, Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, Bangladesh Chhatra League, Bangla Academy, Nazrul Institute, Shilpakala Academy, Dhaka University and Cultural Ministry placed wreaths at the poet’s grave.
This year, the main national program was held at Darirampur High School in Trishal upazila of Mymensingh.
Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith was the chief guest at the function while Cultural Affairs Minister Asaduzzaman Noor presided over it.
The Nazrul Institute and Bangla Academy brought out souvenirs marking the occasion. The Nazrul Institute organised an exhibition of photographs, posters and books to introduce the poet to the new generation and the Directorate of public library organised a book exhibition and reading and essay competitions on the day.
The day was also observed in all education institutions across the country including Dhaka. Bangladesh embassies abroad also organised functions to celebrate the occasion.
Bangladesh Television and Bangladesh Betar and satellite private TV channels telecast programmes on Nazrul’s life and works.
Nazrul, a poet, lyricist, composer, dramatist, short-story writer, revolutionary thinker, journalist and political activist, was born on May 25, 1899 in a poor Muslim family at Churulia of Burdwan in West Bengal. He died in Dhaka on August 29, 1976.
Nazrul faced the wrath of the then British government for his role in the movement of self-determination. He composed about 3,000 songs, which created a new genre of Bengali music.
Nazrul was a source of inspiration during the country’s war of independence in 1971.
