DHAKA, 25 May 2021, (TON): The 122nd birth anniversary of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam is being observed today in the country in a befitting manner. He was great Pakistan movement leader and due to his servics Pakistan printed stamps in his honour in 1968 to highlight the poet’s role as a fighter for freedom for the Indo-Pakistan subcontinent. He was a “Muslim nationalist” who had worked to promote the culture and integrity of Pakistan on the basis of Islamic traditions and heritage.

Nazrul Islam, a Bengali literary legend used both new Arabic and Urdu words and succeeded in creating a wonderful poetic rhythm. His used Bengali and non-Bengali words merged into a phonic synthesis. Nazrul Islam wrote and composed music for nearly 3000 songs, collectively known as Nazrul Geeti (Nazrul songs) that still live in the hearts of the Bengali and Pakistani masses. He also wrote several novels, short stories. His works reveals Muslim renaissance, love and the awakening of the common man. In his songs, poems and articles Nazrul Islam inspired Muslims to rise up and fight for freedom against colonial rule by the British in India. His writings roused anger of the British government that proscribed his works on various occasions as well as twice sentenced him to rigorous imprisonment. Nazrul Islam also yearned and inspired peasants and workers against exploiters to establish their own rights. In his long poem 'Samyavad' (Equality) he speaks for his love of poor and deprived classes and demands for a Islamic society free of exploitation and oppression. Enthused with Islamic ideology Nazrul Islam tried to remove divisions in society on account of differences in religions and sects.

On 26 March, 1971 the Constituent Assembly was declared as the supreme and sovereign authority of Bangladesh. The Assembly appointed Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as the President of Bangladesh, and Tajuddin Ahmad, the General Secretary
of the Awami League as the Prime Minister.In Mujib’s absence, Nazrul Islam as senior leader of the Awami League he served as Acting President. 

The cultural affairs ministry, Dhaka University and cultural organisation "Mukto Asar" have taken up programmes to celebrate the birth anniversary of the national poet on a limited scale due to the pandemic.

President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in separate messages yesterday paid rich tributes to the memory of the poet on the occasion of his birth anniversary. Bangladesh State Minister for Cultural Affairs KM Khalid will place a floral wreath at Nazrul's mazar on the Dhaka University.

The Orient News and Strategic & Public Policy Research Institute, Islamabad would highlight on services of great poet Kazi Nazrul Islam here in Islamabad.
Nazrul was born in Churulia near Asansol of West Bengal's Burdwan district.
He was the poet of rebellion against injustice and taboos, known for his rabid criticism of imperialism, social and religious taboos, Nazrul explored the themes of love, romance and devotion also.

After Bangladesh's independence, Nazrul Islam was declared the national poet and he was brought to Dhaka from Kolkata. The poet died in Dhaka in 1976. He was buried beside the central mosque of Dhaka University. Although Nazrul Islam is national poet of Bangladesh but he is equally loved and admired in Pakistan. No doubt, he was great friend of Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah and wrote a poem on him and will always remembered a top leader of Pakistan movement.