Emran Emon

Kazi Nazrul Islam, our National Poet, was born on May 25, 1899 (11th Jaistha, 1306 Bangla) at the village of Churulia, under Asansol of the Burdwan district in West Bengal. Born into poverty, hardship and struggle were his constant companions—earning him the affectionate nickname ‘Dukhu Mia’. His father was Kazi Fakir Ahmed and his mother was Zahida Khatun. This year marks the 126th birth anniversary of the rebel poet Kazi Nazrul Islam. On this occasion, we pay our deepest respect and love to the poet.

A poet of love, rebellion, equality, and humanity—Kazi Nazrul Islam remains one of the most vital forces in Bengali art, literature, and culture. During the anti-British movement, his writings served as a powerful source of inspiration for people across the Indian subcontinent. His rebellious spirit resonated through his works, earning him the title ‘Rebel Poet’. He became a fierce voice against imperialism, fascism, oppression, injustice, discrimination, exploitation, and subjugation—penning countless poems, songs, essays, stories, novels, and other literary works that defied all forms of tyranny. For this, the British colonial government banned his writings and imprisoned him. Yet even behind bars, Nazrul remained unyielding—fasting for 40 days in protest of British injustice and brutality. He fought throughout his life for a society free from exploitation, rooted in secularism and humanity. He was the first Bengali poet to unequivocally demand India’s complete independence.

Nazrul’s poem ‘Bidrohi’ (The Rebel), composed when he was only 20, stands as a monumental testament to the anguish, rage, and revolutionary spirit of a generation crushed under colonial subjugation. With thunderous passion, Nazrul roared: “Proclaim hero, proclaim—I raise my head high!” And again: 

“I’ll rest only when the wailing of the oppressed shall cease in the air,

And the sword of the tyrant will no longer clang in the battlefield.” 

His words became an eternal source of inspiration in every subsequent struggle for justice.

A close study of Nazrul’s life reveals a writer deeply conscious of history and his time. The rise of the Turkish Republic under Kemal Pasha, the socialist revolution in Russia, and the anti-colonial struggle in India—Nazrul captured all these contemporary phenomena with fervor and intensity in his literary universe.

Standing beside the monumental legacy of Rabindranath Tagore, Nazrul built his own unique creative domain—one that carried its distinct voice and vibrancy. Even Tagore himself welcomed this meteoric rise, famously hailing him with the verse:“Come, O comet, blaze a fiery bridge across the darkness!”

In the cultural and literary history of Bengal, Nazrul remains an unmatched icon of the 1920s and 30s—recognized as the ‘Rebel Poet’ and the ‘Bulbul of Bengali Music’.

His poem “Chal, Chal, Chal” (March Forward ) was later adopted as the national marching song of Bangladesh. Through themes of love, revolt, and humanity, his works became immortal—resonating with the masses. In one of his most powerful verses, he wrote:

“Sing the song of equality—

Nothing is greater than humanity, nothing nobler than human…”.

From the anti-colonial struggle to the Bangladesh Liberation War, his writings gave courage and inspiration to countless freedom fighters. Even today, in every democratic movement and fight against communalism and injustice, Nazrul’s voice continues to stir and empower us.

Despite facing endless challenges, adversity, criticism, neglect, and even personal attacks, Nazrul’s brilliance could never be dimmed. His marriage to Pramila Devi, a woman from an orthodox Hindu family, triggered severe backlash from the literary and societal elites of the time. His poverty, education, family background, choice of themes, and spiritual beliefs—everything came under harsh scrutiny. But he remained unbroken. It was none other than Rabindranath Tagore who recognized his rare genius and blessed him with the lines: “Come, O comet… blaze a fiery bridge across the darkness!”.

While Nazrul is widely known as the ‘Rebel Poet’, he was equally a poet of profound love—an emissary of youthful passion. He loved, he longed, and he yearned. Though rebellious by spirit, his romantic persona was legendary. He famously wrote:

“The one who is dearer to me than myself—

I search for them within my very soul.”

Few people in history have defied bloodlines and family ties for the sake of love the way Nazrul did.

Of his 77 tumultuous years, Kazi Nazrul Islam spent the final 34 years in silence (1942–1976), stricken by illness. He lived only 43 years of active, functional life. Within just 24 years (1919–1942) of creative expression—marked by poverty, hardship, political persecution, imprisonment, and relentless struggle—Nazrul produced an astonishing body of work that continues to resonate across generations.

In this remarkably short span, he authored 22 volumes of poetry, composed between 3,500 and 7,000 songs, compiled 14 musical anthologies, translated 3 books of poetry, penned 3 novels, 3 plays, 3 short story collections, 5 volumes of essays, 2 juvenile dramas, 2 books of children’s poetry, and 7 film scripts—among countless other works of lasting significance.

Such was the depth and versatility of his talent that he seamlessly wore many hats: poet, storyteller, novelist, playwright, children’s author, translator, essayist, editor, journalist, lyricist, composer, music notator, librettist, screenwriter, film director, music director, singer, instrumentalist, musicologist, and actor. His legacy stands as a towering testament to the power of the creative spirit in the face of overwhelming adversity.

In 1941, while working on the music for the film ‘Nandini’, Nazrul fell severely ill. He was treated at Lumbini Park and Ranchi Mental Hospital for over a year. In 1953, he was taken to the UK and Germany for medical treatment—but it was already too late. By that time, he had completely lost his power of speech. From 1953 to 1972, Nazrul spent his days in silence and illness—his life in Kolkata marked by neglect and obscurity, unfolding quietly and away from the public eye.

After Bangladesh’s independence, on May 24, 1972—on his birthday—Nazrul was brought to Dhaka with full honors and officially declared the ‘National Poet’. His poem “Chal, Chal, Chal”  was adopted as the military marching anthem. On August 29, 1976, he passed away at PG Hospital (now BSMMU) in Dhaka and was laid to rest beside the Central Mosque of Dhaka University with full state honors.

Nazrul was a beacon of secularism and humanism. He defied religious orthodoxy, bigotry, and superstition—not just in word, but in life. He married outside his religion and wrote songs for different faiths—powerful examples of his inclusive vision. For him, humanity reigned above all else. In his timeless verse, he declared:

“Sing the song of equality—

There is nothing greater than human,

No difference of country, time, or vessel—

All are kin in the house of humankind.”

In today’s world—where communalism, extremism, violence, and religious intolerance are rising—there is no alternative but to rediscover, practice, and promote Nazrul’s progressive, secular, and humanist ideals.

The writer is a researcher, journalist and columnist. He can be reached at emoncolumnist@gmail.com