Kazi Nazrul Islam

Kazi Nazrul Islam (24 May 1899 – 29 August 1976) was a Bengali poet, musician, and revolutionary. He is regarded as the national poet of Bangladesh and is celebrated for his contributions to literature, music, and his advocacy for freedom, equality, and unity.

Islam was born in Churulia, Bengal (now in West Bengal, India) to a Muslim family. His father, Imam Kazi Faqeer Ahmed, passed away when Nazrul was only nine, which led to financial struggles for the family. Despite these hardships, Nazrul pursued education in Islamic schools and became fluent in Bengali, Arabic, and Persian, laying the groundwork for his future career as a poet and musician.

Nazrul’s literary career took off in the 1920s, when he began writing poems and songs that expressed strong nationalistic themes and called for Indian independence from British rule. His most famous work, “Agni Veena” (The Veena of Fire), was published in 1922 and earned him recognition as a poet who was both passionate and revolutionary. He also composed numerous songs, including many Rabindra Sangeet-style songs, blending classical music with Bengali folk traditions.

Throughout his life, Nazrul was a strong advocate for secularism, religious unity, and social justice, criticizing religious extremism and promoting harmony between Hindus and Muslims. His works were groundbreaking for their inclusive approach to religion and culture.

Nazrul faced several personal hardships, including the loss of his mother in 1928 and his son in 1929. In 1942, he suffered a major health setback, believed to be Parkinson's disease, which left him unable to write or speak for the remainder of his life.

In 1972, after the creation of Bangladesh, Nazrul moved to Dhaka, where he was named the country's national poet. He was awarded Bangladeshi citizenship in 1976, shortly before his death. He was also honoured with the Padma Bhushan in 1960 by the Indian government for his literary contributions.

Kazi Nazrul Islam passed away on 29 August 1976 in Dhaka at the age of 77 due to an illness.

Islam has multiple institutions named after him, such as Kazi Nazrul University in Asansol (India) and Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University in Bangladesh.

Children of Kazi Nazrul Islam and his wife Pramila Devi: Four sons

• 1. Krishna Mohammad (1924)
• 2. Arindam Khaled Bulbul (1926-1930)
• 3. Kazi Sabyasachi, Bangladeshi elocutionist (1928-1979)
• 4. Kazi Anirudhdha, Bangladeshi guitarist (1931-1974)

Links to additional information:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kazi_Nazrul_Islam
https://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Islam,_Kazi_Nazrul
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Kazi-Nazrul-Islam
https://www.news18.com/news/lifestyle/kazi-nazrul-islam-interesting...
https://vocal.media/education/kazi-nazrul-islam
https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Kazi_Nazrul_Islam
https://www.icnazrul.com/
https://learn.culturalindia.net/kazi-nazrul-islam.html