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Kazi Nazrul Islam

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Kazi Nazrul Islam was a prolific Bengali poet, musician, and journalist.

Kazi nazrul islam with Setar
Kazi nazrul islam with Setar

He is celebrated as the national poet of Bangladesh. His vast body of work addressed themes of equality, justice, and humanity. He often wrote about rebellion against oppression and religious fundamentalism. Because of his powerful stance against injustice, he earned the title "Bidrohī Kôbi," or the Rebel Poet.

Nazrul young in 1921
Nazrul young in 1921

His compositions are the foundation of a unique musical genre known as Nazrul Gīti, or the Music of Nazrul.

Nazrul's early life in the village of Churulia shaped his diverse skills.

Nazrul Academy Churulia
Nazrul Academy Churulia

Following his father's death in 1908, the ten-year-old Nazrul became a caretaker of the local mosque. He worked as a muezzin, a person who leads the call to prayer. He also joined a traveling folk theater group called Leṭor Dôl. Through this group, he learned to act and compose songs for musicals. He studied various traditions, including Bengali, Sanskrit, and Hindu scriptures like the Puranas. This diverse education allowed him to write plays about historical and mythological figures.

In 1917, Nazrul joined the British Indian Army at age eighteen.

Purported flag of the Royal Indian Army
Purported flag of the Royal Indian Army

He was posted to the Karachi Cantonment with the 49th Bengal Regiment. While serving as a corporal and later a havildar, or sergeant, he pursued his literary interests. He read the works of Rabindranath Tagore and Persian poets like Rumi. During this time, he wrote his first prose work, "Life of a Vagabond," in May 1919. He also published his poem "Mukti," meaning Freedom, in July 1919. These early works established his voice as a writer interested in political and social themes.

After leaving the army in 1920, Nazrul settled in Calcutta to work as a journalist.

Nazrul as Narad
Nazrul as Narad

He became a regular at social clubs for intellectuals and writers. His fame grew rapidly after the publication of his poem "Bidrohī" in 1922. This work coincided with the Non-Cooperation Movement against British rule. Nazrul used his magazine, Dhūmketu, or The Comet, to criticize the British Empire. His writing was often bold and called for revolution. This activism led to frequent conflict with the colonial authorities.

His political writings resulted in several arrests and periods of imprisonment.

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

In 1923, he was charged with sedition and moved to Hooghly Jail. While imprisoned, he wrote "Rajbôndīr Jôbanbôndī," which translates to the Deposition of a Political Prisoner. He even conducted a 40-day fast to protest mistreatment by jail officials. Many of his books, such as "Bisher Banshi," or The Flute of Poison, were banned by the British Raj. Despite these bans, his works were often distributed in secret to inspire the public.

Nazrul's musical legacy is defined by his nearly 4,000 composed songs. These songs, known as Nazrul Gīti, often utilized Arabic and Persian-influenced Bengali words. He was a pioneer in introducing the ghazal, a specific style of song, into the Bengali language. His music was diverse, ranging from folk influences to classical styles. Many of these recordings were made by the Gramophone Company of India. His ability to blend different linguistic and musical traditions made his work stand out in the literary world.

In 1942, Nazrul's life changed due to a rare neurodegenerative condition.

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

A medical team in Vienna diagnosed him with Pick's disease. This illness caused him to lose his memory and his ability to speak. In 1972, the government of Bangladesh invited him to relocate to Dhaka. He was officially granted Bangladeshi citizenship on February 18, 1976. He passed away on August 29, 1976. His life remains a symbol of resistance and artistic innovation in Bengali history.

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Ekushey Padak Ribbon.svg
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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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