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Kazi Nazrul Islam

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Kazi Nazrul Islam was a famous Bengali poet, musician, and writer.

Kazi nazrul islam with Setar
Kazi nazrul islam with Setar

He is known as the national poet of Bangladesh. His work focused on big ideas like equality, justice, and humanity. He also wrote about rebellion against being treated unfairly. People call him the "Bidrohī Kôbi," which means the Rebel Poet.

Nazrul young in 1921
Nazrul young in 1921

This nickname came from his powerful poem titled "Bidrohī." He used his words to fight for freedom and to stand up for people. His songs and poems helped inspire many people during important times in history.

Nazrul's life involved many different kinds of work. As a young man, he worked as a muezzin at a local mosque. He also joined a traveling theater group called Leṭor Dôl.

Nazrul as Narad
Nazrul as Narad

In this group, he learned how to act and write songs for plays. He even wrote plays about characters from famous stories like the Mahabharata. Later, he joined the British Indian Army in 1917. He served in the 49th Bengal Regiment and was posted to Karachi. During this time, he wrote his first pieces of prose and poetry.

His career as a writer and journalist began in earnest after the war. He lived in Calcutta and worked for the Bengali Muslim Literary Society.

Nazrul Academy Churulia
Nazrul Academy Churulia

Nazrul wrote many different things, including novels, essays, and short stories. He is most famous for his music, called Nazrul Gīti. He composed nearly 4,000 songs using many different styles. He even introduced the ghazal, a type of song, into the Bengali language. His music was often recorded by the Gramophone Company of India.

Because of his writing, Nazrul faced many hard times with the government. He started a magazine called Dhūmketu, which means The Comet.

Hooghly district Correctional Home at Hooghly- Chinsurah 10
Hooghly district Correctional Home at Hooghly- Chinsurah 10

This magazine was very critical of the British Empire. Because of his political poems, the authorities arrested him in 1923. He was sent to Alipore Jail and later to Hooghly Jail. While he was in prison, he wrote a piece called "Rajbôndīr Jôbanbôndī." He even went on a 40-day fast to protest how he was being treated.

In 1942, Nazrul began to face a very difficult health challenge. He was diagnosed with Pick's disease, which is a rare disease of the brain.

Side view of Mausoleum of Kazi Nazrul Islam
Side view of Mausoleum of Kazi Nazrul Islam

This illness caused him to lose both his memory and his voice. In 1972, the government of Bangladesh invited him to live in Dhaka. He was officially given citizenship by Bangladesh in 1976. He passed away on August 29, 1976. Today, his songs and poems remain a very important part of Bengali culture.

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🖼️ Images & Media (12)
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Padma Bhushan Ribbon.svg
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Ekushey Padak Ribbon.svg
File:Independence Award Ribbon.svg
Independence Award Ribbon.svg
File:Purported flag of the Royal Indian Army.svg
Purported flag of the Royal Indian Army.svg
File:India-Army-OR-6.svg
India-Army-OR-6.svg
File:Kazi nazrul islam with Setar.jpg
Kazi nazrul islam with Setar.jpg
File:Nazrul young in 1921.jpg
Nazrul young in 1921.jpg
File:Nazrul as Narad.jpg
Nazrul as Narad.jpg
File:Hooghly district Correctional Home at Hooghly- Chinsurah 10.jpg
Hooghly district Correctional Home at...
File:Nazrul at Sitakunda 1929.jpeg
Nazrul at Sitakunda 1929.jpeg
File:Side view of Mausoleum of Kazi Nazrul Islam.jpg
Side view of Mausoleum of Kazi Nazrul Islam.jpg
File:Nazrul Academy Churulia.jpg
Nazrul Academy Churulia.jpg
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