DHAKA: The 111th anniversary of birth of national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam was celebrated across the country Tuesday, paying high tributes to the revolutionary in real life and literature and culture.
Nazrul, a poet, lyricist, composer, dramatist, short story writer, revolutionary thinker, journalist and political activist, was born this day in 1899 in a poor Muslim family at Churulia village in Bardwan of West Bengal. He died in Dhaka on August 29, 1976.
His poetry, particularly, the poem titled ‘Bidrohi’ and secular-nationalist activism earned him the popular title ‘Bidrohi Kabi’ or rebel poet.
People thronged the poet's grave located on the Dhaka University mosque premises since Tuesday morning to pay tribute to the country’s rebel poet.
The poet's family members laid a wreath at the grave at around 6am. Dhaka University teachers led by Vice-chancellor AAMS Arefin Siddique paid floral tributes at the poet's tomb.
The ruling Bangladesh Awami League and Bangabandhu Sangskritik Jote placed wreaths on the poet’s grave at 8:00am.
A discussion was held on the grave premises commemorating the poet.
The government, socio-political and cultural organisations and educational institutions took up elaborate programmes, including discussions, cultural functions, fairs and art and music competitions, to mark the day.
President Zillur Rahman Tuesday at a function said people should enrich themselves in respective fields following the songs and poems of Nazrul as those are “a great source of inspirations”.
The Ministry of Cultural Affairs organised the function at Darirampur High School in Trishal of Mymensingh marking the birth anniversary of Nazrul.
Addressing the programme as chief guest, the president claimed, “I am the person who brought back Nazrul Islam in Bangladesh in 1974 with the permission of our father of the nation.”
LGRD Minister Syed Ashraful Islam was the special guest at the function while State Minister for Cultural Affairs Promod Mankin was in the chair. Cultural Affairs Secretary Hedayetullah Al Mamun and Nazrul’s granddaughter Khil Khil Kazi also spoke on the occasion.
Besides, local administrations across the country arranged various programmes. Bangladesh missions abroad also joined the nation in celebrating the auspicious day with different programmes.
Newspapers published special supplements and television channels and radios aired special programmes in observance of the occasion.
BDST: 1430, May 25, 2010
CORR/MRH/AK/MR/SMS/MUA
