Dhaka, May 25 — Today, Bangladesh commemorates the 126th birth anniversary of Kazi Nazrul Islam, the revered national poet whose revolutionary voice, literary brilliance, and musical legacy have left an indelible mark on Bengali culture and identity. Known widely as the “Rebel Poet,” Nazrul is remembered for his fearless advocacy for justice, equality, and human dignity.
Nazrul was born on May 25, 1899, in the village of Churulia in present-day West Bengal, India, then part of British India in a poverty stricken family. Despite facing poverty and hardship early in life, his talent in poetry, music, and performance emerged early. After joining a folk performance group in his youth, he enlisted in the British Indian Army in 1917, where he began writing poetry that would later become central to the anti-colonial and progressive movements in Bengal.
Nazrul catapulted to prominence with the publication of his electrifying poem Bidrohi (The Rebel) in 1922, a powerful declaration of defiance and human strength that became a symbol of resistance against British colonial rule. In it, he wrote: “I am the rebel eternal, I raise my head beyond this world…” The poem established him as a fearless voice of rebellion and a literary icon across the subcontinent.
His work consistently confronted oppression in all its forms—imperialism, religious extremism, and social inequality. Through essays, poems, and editorials published in journals such as Dhumketu (The Comet), Nazrul spoke out against injustice, often at personal cost. He was imprisoned for his views but continued to write from jail, producing some of his most poignant and politically charged works.
A tireless advocate for communal harmony, Nazrul wrote across religious and cultural lines. He composed Islamic devotional songs like Hamd and Naat, as well as Hindu Shyama Sangeet, demonstrating a rare inclusivity in his art. At a time of deepening communal tensions, his work offered a vision of unity, tolerance, and shared humanity.
In addition to his literary contributions, Nazrul was a pioneering musician. He contributed more than 4,000 composed songs, now known as Nazrul Geeti, covering themes of revolution, love, spirituality, and sorrow. His compositions broke musical boundaries by blending classical ragas with folk traditions and Islamic melodies, helping redefine Bengali music.
After Bangladesh’s independence in 1971, Kazi Nazrul Islam was brought to Dhaka from India in 1972 at the invitation of the newly formed government. He was officially recognized as the National Poet of Bangladesh and spent his final years in the country he had long inspired with his words. He died on August 29, 1976, and was buried on the grounds of the University of Dhaka, beside the central mosque.
To mark his birth anniversary, the government of Bangladesh, cultural institutions, universities, and literary organizations are holding a wide range of programs, including poetry recitations, Nazrul song performances, academic discussions, and exhibitions. The Nazrul Institute and the Ministry of Cultural Affairs have organized national-level events to highlight the poet’s lasting legacy.
Nazrul’s life and work continue to inspire people not only in Bangladesh but throughout the Bengali-speaking world. His vision of a just and inclusive society remains especially relevant today, as his words continue to resonate in classrooms, on stages, and in public discourse.
As the nation pays tribute, many are reflecting on the poet’s enduring message, captured in one of his most memorable lines:
“I sing the song of equality, where all barriers fall and all beings unite in love.”
