Nazrul\\\'s 115th birth anniv being observed

The 115th birth anniversary of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam is being celebrated across the country on Sunday. Different eminent personalities, politicians, academicians, cultural personalities, family members of the poet, poetry lovers and people in general paid homage to the rebel poet, placing wreaths at his grave on the Dhaka University (DU) premises in the morning. The government and different organisations, including socio-cultural and political ones, have chalked out elaborate programmes to observe the day. The programmes include discussions, rallies, cultural functions and Nazrul mela (fair). Born on May 25 in 1899 at village Churulia in Burdwan district of West Bengal in India, Nazrul through his fiery poems had inspired the people to fight against injustice and repression of the colonial rule. Nazrul’s songs and poems were also great sources of inspiration for the freedom fighters during the Liberation War in 1971. President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have issued separate messages highlighting the colourful life of the poet and his contributions to Bengali language and literature. In his message, President Abdul Hamid said ‘Nazrul’s writings make us vocal in establishing rights of oppressed and deprived people, teach us how to stand against injustice’. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in her message said Nazrul enriched Bengali language and literature through his writings. She said his poems and songs inspired the people of the sub-continent in the anti-British movement as well as the freedom-loving people of Bangladesh in their struggle for independence from the oppressive rule of Pakistan. Special programmes on Nazrul’s works, including his plays, poetry and songs, are being broadcast on TV channels and radio stations marking the national poet’s birthday. Nazrul Academy has chalked out a three-day programme to celebrate the 115th birth anniversary of the ‘Rebel Poet’, according to a news agency.