The High Commission of India in Dhaka, through its Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre (IGCC), on Thursday organized a cultural evening titled ‘Nazrul Sandhya’ at the ICC in Gulshan to commemorate the 49th death anniversary of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam.
The programme drew a large audience, including eminent artistes, cultural dignitaries, Nazrul scholars, youth delegates and art enthusiasts, who together paid homage to the 'Bidrohi Kobi' (Rebel Poet).
High Commissioner of India to Bangladesh Pranay Verma, in his address, reflected on the multifaceted legacy of Nazrul, describing him as “an icon of the shared cultural connection between India and Bangladesh.”
Recollecting Nazrul’s role in India’s freedom struggle, Verma said, “His poems stirred a subjugated nation, awakened its soul and inspired an entire country to break free of the chains of colonial oppression.”
Highlighting Nazrul’s relevance in today’s world, he added, “He is an ardent symbol of youthfulness, whose appeal for inclusive, plural humanism transcends national boundaries. He is a philosopher whose message of equality and harmony continues to inspire the world — a lighthouse of our collective conscience.”
In her welcome remarks, IGCC Director Ann Mary George underscored the enduring cultural bonds between India and Bangladesh. She reaffirmed IGCC’s role as a hub for cultural exchange, noting its commitment to celebrating literary and artistic figures like Kazi Nazrul Islam who embody the region’s shared heritage.
The highlight of the evening was the performances by acclaimed Nazrul Sangeet exponents Dr Chanda Chakraborty and Shahid Kabir Polash, whose soulful renditions brought alive the revolutionary zeal and lyrical beauty of Nazrul’s timeless works.
Dr Chakraborty, an award-winning artiste and scholar, is an Assistant Professor at Government Music College and a senior instructor at leading institutions including Bangladesh Nazrul Institute. With a Ph.D. on Nazrul’s devotional music from Dhaka University, she has performed widely at home and abroad, receiving honors such as the National Nazrul Samaj Padak (2009) and Channel i Best Performance in Nazrul Sangeet (2018).
Shahid Kabir Polash, a foremost Nazrul Sangeet and classical vocalist, trained under legendary maestros Sohrab Hossain and Sudhin Das. A ‘special grade’ artiste of Bangladesh Television and Betar, he has performed on prestigious stages internationally, including Nazrul Mela in Churulia, India. He has also been recognized with awards including the Citycell-Channel i Music Award (2010).
Their renditions — from fiery verses of Bidrohi to Nazrul’s devotional and romantic compositions — deeply moved the audience, reaffirming the timelessness of his art.
The evening served as a solemn musical tribute to Nazrul Islam (1899–1976) — poet, musician, freedom fighter and philosopher — whose writings championed freedom, equality and communal harmony, inspiring generations and symbolizing the shared cultural heritage of Bangladesh and India.