A discussion meeting and cultural programme was organized on Saturday in the capital in memory of the world famous Iranian poet Hafiz and our national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam. Eminent nuclear scientist and founder of Bangladesh Open University Professor Dr. M Shamsher Ali, poet of the country Al Mujahidi was present as a special guest in the event while professor of Persian Language and Literature Department of Dhaka University was present as the guest of honour. Abdus Sabur Khan, President of Bangladesh Nazrul Recitation Parishad and Shaila Ahmed, Professor of Bengali Department of Lalmatia Government Women's College and deputy secretary of Finance ministry Mohammad Jihad Uddin spoke while cultural counselor of Dhaka-based Iranian Cultural Center Syed Reza Mir Mohammadi presided over the event. Speakers in the event said that as Bengal has a deep relationship with Persia, Bengali language and literature have many influences of Persian language and literature. Many Bengali-speaking poets have been inspired by Persian literature. Bangladesh's national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam himself translated the poetry of Iranian poet Hafiz and Omar Khayyam, they added. Remembering rebel poet Kazi Nazrul Islam The speakers also said that the world-famous Iranian poet Hafiz and the national poet of Bangladesh Kazi Nazrul Islam were the poets of world humanity. Both of them sounded the same tone of human love and the union of humanity. Love is the only way to get rid of the incurable disease of conflict, and selfishness in today's human society.

The High Court today (January 09, 2024) asked Bangladesh Telecommunication and Regulation Commission (BTRC) to remove the distorted re-composition of Bangladesh’s National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam’s timeless song “Karar Oi Louho Kopat” from all online platforms, including Facebook and YouTube. The HC bench of Justice JBM Hassan and Justice Razik-Al-Jalil passed the order after hearing a writ petition. Barrister Mohammad Humayun Kabir, on behalf of ten lawyers of the Supreme Court and a human rights organisation Law and Live Foundation Trust, filed the writ petition on December 6. Read: Benapole Express fire: Fire Service has no clue on the cause yet   Secretaries to the Information and Broadcasting Ministry, Information and Communication Technology Ministry, Cultural Affairs Ministry, Bangladesh Telecommunication and Regulation Commission and Kabi Nazrul Institute were made respondents. On November 19, Barrister Mohammad Humayun Kabir sent a legal notice to the respondents seeking directives to remove the “distorted” re-composition of the national poet’s song from all online platforms. Read: Pirojpur-2: Legal action recommended against Manju's wife   The original composer and lyricist of the song is National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam, according to the writ petition. Renowned Indian music composer AR Rahman re-composed the song which is used in the film “Pippa.” “Karar Oi Louho Kopat” is an immortal song and generations of listeners will be confused if both the familiar tune composed by Bangladesh’s national poet and the “distorted” version are available on online platforms, reads the writ. 

After massive backlash over AR Rahman’s interpretation of Bangladesh’s National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam’s song "Karar Oi Louho Kopat" in the latest Bollywood war film “Pippa”, the makers have issued an apology on ‘X’ (formerly Twitter). The Raja Krishna Menon-directed film, starring Ishaan Khatter, Mrunal Thakur, Priyanshu Painyuli, Soni Razdan and others, was released on November 10 on Amazon Prime Video. The film features battle between India and Pakistan in then East Pakistan during the 1971 Liberation War. Produced by RSVP Movies and Roy Kapur Films, the film features a remake of the Nazrul song "Karar Oi Louho Kopat". The remake version has been composed by Oscar winning-music composer AR Rahman and features Indian singers Rahul Dutta, Tirtha Bhattacharjee, Pijush Das, Shrayee Paul, Shalini Mukherjee and Dilasa Chowdhury. After the release of the song, Nazrul exponents and admirers along with general audiences in both Bangladesh and India expressed massive dissatisfaction over the remake. Read: “Leelabati Nag: The Rebel” premiered at Liberation War Museum In response to that, the film’s makers stated: “We understand the emotional attachment that audiences may have to the original composition, and while all art is inherently subjective, if our interpretation has hurt sentiments or caused unintended distress, we offer our sincere apologies.” The statement notes that the producers, director and music composer of the film “Pippa” wish to clarify that their rendition of the song is a sincere artistic interpretation, embarked upon only after securing the necessary adaptation rights from the estate of the Late Kazi Nazrul Islam. According to the statement, they approached the making of this song by faithfully following both the letter and the spirit of the license agreement for the lyrics, as duly signed by the late Kalyani Kazi and witnessed by Anirban Kazi. “Our intent was to pay homage to the cultural significance of the song while adhering to the terms set forth in our agreement, which permitted us to use the lyrics with a new composition,” the statement claims. Read: Something Like An Autobiography: Real Story or Just a Film? Earlier on Saturday, several of the country’s eminent Nazrul exponents shared their official statements against the “distortion” of the song at a press conference held at the Kabi Nazrul Institute in Dhaka’s Dhanmondi. General Secretary of Bangladesh Nazrul Sangeet Sangstha (BNSS) Khairul Anam Shakil, Kazi Nazrul Islam’s granddaughter Mistee Kazi, Nazrul exponent Sadya Afreen Mallick, veteran Nazrul singer Shaheen Samad, singer Bulbul Islam and others were present at the press conference. According to the prominent Indian newspaper The Times of India, Kalyani Kazi’s agreement to the makers mentioned that she was "represented" to the production house as the "sole surviving legal heir" and "all rights, title and interest in the literary work are owned and vests" on her. It also stated that she was "authorized to grant the licence". "We came to know about the agreement through the media. Legally, I am not sure if Kalyani Kazi could ignore all of us and enter into an agreement saying she is the only heir," Mistee Kazi told The Times of India. Read: First-ever Arka Fashion Week concludes in style

The 47th death anniversary of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam, widely revered for his limitless contributions to Bangla literature, is being observed in a befitting manner across the country today.   Also celebrated as the ‘Rebel Poet’, Kazi Nazrul Islam is considered a pioneer in Bangla literature. Marking his 47th death anniversary, several organisations and institutions are holding multiple programmes throughout the day commemorating the life and works of the great poet. Dhaka University teachers, students, officials and employees gathered at the Aparajeyo Bangla on Kala Bhaban premises alongside DU Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Akhtaruzzaman early in the morning. From there, they visited the poet's grave with a procession, offered wreaths and recite Fateha. Moreover, recitation of the holy Quran will be held at the university’s central mosque following Asr prayers. Bangladesh Awami League also paid tributes at the poet’s grave with a procession and prayer. An Awami League (AL) delegation led by its General Secretary Obaidul Quader paid homage to the poet on behalf of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the party.   Read:7 best books on Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Quader urged all to be imbued with the ideologies of the National Poet to uproot communal forces from the country as they are the barriers towards development and advancement of Bangladesh. A delegation of the BNP led by senior leader Ruhul Kabir Rizvi also paid tribute to the Rebel Poet at his grave.   Cultural institution Chhayanaut will organise a special tribute programme at its auditorium in Dhanmondi at 7 pm. The event will be simultaneously aired on its Facebook group and YouTube channel. Several television channels, including Bangladesh Television (BTV), radio stations, including Bangladesh Betar, and online platforms are broadcasting special programmes commemorating the life and works of the National Poet. Kazi Nazrul Islam, widely revered for his revolutionary and spectacular literary works in then-undivided India, was born in the Churulia village of Bardhaman in West Bengal, India, in 1899. Read: Rabindranath Tagore’s 82nd death anniversary being observed Nazrul had a brief 21-year-long literary career, during which he produced 2,600 songs, 600 poems, three books, and 43 essays, according to the Kabi Nazrul Institute. In his early childhood, he had to work as a caretaker and as a muazzin in a mosque to support his family when his father passed away. He was forced to leave school at the age of nine in order to work for a professional "Leto" music group in Churulia, West Bengal. While working with the group, he became familiar with Bangla and Sanskrit literature. A year later, he went back to school and enrolled at Matharun English School, but due to financial hardship, he dropped out once more in Class six. After some time, police officer Kazi Rafizullah took him under his wing and enrolled him in Class seven at Darirampur School in Trishal, Mymensingh. Within a few years of beginning military service in the British Army in 1917, Nazrul embarked on his literary career. He wrote the classic "Bidrohi" (The Rebel) in 1921 and founded "Dhumketu" (The Comet), a monthly journal, in 1922. Read: National poet Kazi Nazrul Islam’s 124th birth anniversary Thursday Due to his nationalist stance in the Indian Independence Movement, Nazrul found himself in the clutches of colonial British authorities. He wrote "Rajbandir Jabanbandi" (Deposition of a Political Prisoner) while he was incarcerated.  His works later inspired the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971, and his poems inspired many to revolt against the oppression of Pakistan. Freedom, humanity, love, and revolution are recurring themes throughout Nazrul's remarkable literary creations. He was against radicalism and the constraints of caste, gender, and religious prejudice. Nazrul also published short stories, novels, and essays, although his songs and poems have received the most praise. He is renowned for his liberal use of Arabic and Farsi terms in his writings and for popularizing Bangla ghazals. He invented his own musical genre known as "Nazrul Geeti," which consists of almost 4,000 songs he penned and composed music for, many of which were released on vinyl and HMV records. In 1942, when Nazrul was 43 years old and suffering from an unidentified illness, he started to lose his voice and memory. His condition was later discovered to be "Pick's disease," a rare and fatal neurodegenerative disease, by a medical team in Vienna. At the invitation of the Bangladeshi government and then President and Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Nazrul's family migrated to Bangladesh and settled in Dhaka in 1972. The government of Bangladesh conferred upon him the status of "National Poet" in the same year. Read: Why not directive to issue gazette declaring Nazrul as national poet: HC He was awarded the honorary DLitt by Dhaka University in 1974 and he received the Ekushey Padak in 1976, for his legendary contribution to Bangla literature and culture, On August 27, 1976, the Rebel Poet breathed his last in Dhaka and was buried next to the mosque on Dhaka University campus, fulfilling a wish he had made in one of his poems.

Saturday marks the 46th death anniversary of national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam, widely revered for his limitless contribution to Bengali literature. To observe the day commemorating the life and works of the rebel poet, different organisations have lined up multiple programmes throughout the day. The Ministry of Cultural Affairs paid its tributes to the poet by placing floral wreaths on his grave beside the Dhaka University Central Mosque at 7am. Top officials of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs honoured the poet by laying floral wreaths at his grave. The programme was organised in collaboration with the Kabi Nazrul Institute and other departments and organizations under the ministry. Dhaka University authorities also placed floral wreaths at the grave of the great poet, with a rally led by DU Vice Chancellor Dr Md Akhtaruzzaman. Bangladesh Awami League arranged a special prayer session at the graveyard of Kazi Nazrul at 9am. Kabi Nazrul Institute will organise a special seminar and cultural programme at Rabindra Sorobor in Dhanmondi at 5pm, which will be joined by the Ministry of Cultural Affairs Secretary Md Abul Mansur as the chief guest. Cultural institution Chhayanaut will organise a special cultural tribute programme at its auditorium in Dhanmondi at 7pm. The event will be simultaneously broadcast on its Facebook group and YouTube channel, and the institution is dedicating this event to the late Nazrul exponent Sohrab Hossain. Also read; Why not directive to issue gazette declaring Nazrul as national poet: HC Marking the 46th death anniversary of the rebel poet, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University and Hospital (BSMMU) will lift the curtain of the Nazrul Memorial Cabin at its B Block’s 117 number cabin, the room where the poet spent his last days, in the capital’s Shahbagh. Envisioned by BSMMU Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Md Sharfuddin Ahmed and established in association with late Professor and Nazrul researcher Dr Rafiqul Islam and State Minister for Cultural Affairs KM Khalid, the room will be open for visitors on Saturday by State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Md Enamur Rahman, along with cultural personality Ramendu Majumdar. Several television channels including Bangladesh Television (BTV), radio stations, including Bangladesh Betar, and online platforms will broadcast special programmes commemorating the life and works of the national poet. Known for his iconoclastic and majestic literary creations, Kazi Nazrul was born in  Churulia village of Burdwan in the Indian state of West Bengal in 1899. Through his fiery poems, the poet had inspired people to fight against the injustice and repression of colonial rule. According to the Nazrul Institute, Kazi Nazrul wrote 2,600 songs, 600 poetry, three novels, and 43 articles in a career spanning 21 years before losing his speech. After the death of his father, Kazi Nazrul obtained a job as a caregiver and also worked as a muezzin at a mosque to support his family. At the age of nine, he had to drop out of school to join a Churulia-based professional ‘leto' company. He was introduced to Bangali and Sanskrit literature while working for the group. He returned to school a year later and enrolled at Matharun English School, but dropped out again in Class VI due to poverty. After a while, police officer Kazi Rafizullah took him in at his home in Trishal, Mymensingh, and enrolled him in Class VII at Darirampur School. Serving the British Army in 1917 as a soldier, Kazi Nazrul started his literary career within a few years. His cult-classic poem ‘Bidrohi’ (The Rebel) was published in 1921. A year later, he started a fortnightly magazine named ‘Dhumketu’ (The Comet). His nationalist participation in the Indian Independence Movement landed him in the hands of colonial British authorities on several occasions.  While in prison, Kazi Nazrul authored the 'Rajbandir Jabanbandi' (Deposition of a Political Prisoner), and his creations later encouraged Bangladesh Liberation War. Freedom, humanity, love and revolution are the constant themes in Kazi Nazrul's majestic literary creations. He was against all sorts of religious, caste-based, and gender-based discrimination and extremism. He wrote short stories, novels and essays, but his songs and poems are his most critically acclaimed literary creations. He popularised Bengali ghazal melodies, and is noted for his liberal usage of Arabic and Persian terms in his writings. Kazi Nazrul created a new genre in music called ‘Nazrul Geeti’, a collection of 4,000 songs that he wrote and created the music for, many of which were recorded on HMV. In 1942, Kazi Nazrul began to lose his voice and memory due to an unexplained ailment. Later, a medical team in Vienna identified his illness as Pick's disease, a rare and incurable neurodegenerative disease. His family travelled to Bangladesh at the invitation of then Bangladeshi government and settled down in Dhaka in 1972. For his iconic contribution to Bangla literature and culture, Dhaka University awarded him an honorary post-doctoral degree in 1974. He was awarded Ekushey Padak in 1976.  Kazi Nazrul breathed his last in Dhaka on August 29, 1976, and was buried next to a mosque on the Dhaka University campus, fulfilling a wish he had made in one of his poems.  

The High Court on Wednesday issued a rule questioning why instructions should not be given to the authorities concerned to issue a gazette declaring poet Kazi Nazrul Islam as the national poet of Bangladesh. The HC bench of Justice Farah Mahbub and Justice Ahmed Sohel issued the ruling after hearing a writ petition in this regard. Cultural Affairs Secretary, Bangla Academy Director General and Executive Director of Kabi Nazrul Institute were asked to respond to the rule within next four weeks. Advocate Asad Uddin appeared for the writ petitioner while Deputy Attorney General Samarendra Nath Biswas and Abul Kalam Azad Daud for the state. Read: HC orders providing Tk 5 lakh to legal guardian of the baby born on road in Mymensingh On June 22, Advocate Asad on behalf of 10 Supreme Court lawyers filed a writ petition with the High Court bench.   “Though people calls Kazi Nazrul Islam as the national poet of Bangladesh, but there is no state recognition through issuing a gazette to this effect,” said Asad. Nazrul's name has been mentioned as the national poet in two laws of Bangladesh. He was also mentioned as national poet in various government events but all are indirect recognition. Such acknowledgment may be faded in future, said the petitioner. Besides, the poet's family has been demanding the official recognition of Nazrul as the national poet. Nazrul researchers and people related to literature and culture have also demanded it. “But so far no visible initiative has been taken by the government in this regard. Therefore, a writ petition was filed as a conscious citizen of the country and a high court lawyer,” said Azad. The other petitioner lawyers are — Muhammad Misbah Uddin, Md Zobaidur Rahman, Al Reza Md Amir, Md Rezaul Islam, KM Mamun-Or-Rashid, Md Asraful Islam, Shahinur Rahman, Md Rezaul Karim and Md Alauddin. On May 31, these lawyers also served a legal notice to the government asking it to issue a gazette notification in this regard.

Wednesday marks the 123rd birth anniversary of national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam, widely revered for his limitless contribution to Bengali literature. Known and regarded as the ‘rebel poet’ for his iconoclastic and majestic literary creations, Kazi Nazrul was born in  Churulia village of Burdwan in the Indian state of West Bengal in 1899. Through his fiery poems, the poet had inspired people to fight against the injustice and repression of colonial rule. To mark the day without the fear of Covid-19 for the first time in two years, several government and non-government bodies and different cultural organisations have organised multiple cultural programmes and discussions on the life and works of the rebel poet. This year, the birth anniversary celebration theme is the "Rebel’s Centenary".  President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have issued separate messages, highlighting the colourful life of the poet and his contributions to Bangla language and literature. In the morning, the Ministry of Cultural Affairs paid its tribute to the poet by placing floral wreaths on his grave beside the Dhaka University Central Mosque. The main event marking the national poet's 123rd birth anniversary will take place at Cumilla Birchandra Public Library and City Auditorium (Town Hall) at 11am. Information and Broadcasting Minister Hasan Mahmud will be present at the opening ceremony as the chief guest, which will be joined by Nazrul’s granddaughter Khilkhil Kazi as a special guest. The country’s leading cultural institution Chhayanaut has organised a two-day 'Nazrul Uthsab' at Chhayanaut Sangskriti Bhaban, Dhanmondi, in the capital. On Tuesday, Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University (JKKNIU) in Trishal, Mymensingh, inaugurated a three-day celebration programme, featuring discussions, awards ceremony, photography exhibition and cultural programmes. Also read: Remembering Nazrul, a poet par excellence!

The 123rd birth anniversary of national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam will be celebrated in the country on Wednesday in a befitting manner. Known and regarded as the ‘rebel poet’ for his iconoclastic and majestic literary creations, Kazi Nazrul Islam was born at Churulia village of Burdwan in the Indian state of West Bengal in 1899. Nazrul through his fiery poems had inspired people to fight against injustice and repression of the colonial rule. Aiming to observe the glorious day amid festivities without the fear of COVID-19 for the first time in two years, the maximum number of government and non-government organizations and different cultural platforms chalked out separate programmes with cultural performances and discussions on the life and works of the rebel poet.  This year, the government has announced the theme of the birth anniversary celebration of the national poet as the “Rebel’s Centenary.” According to the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, the events observing the 123rd birth anniversary of the national poet will begin with placing floral wreaths at the grave of the poet at Dhaka University at 6:30 am.  State Minister for Cultural Affairs KM Khalid and Secretary Abul Mansur will be present on the occasion alongside other officials of the Ministry and its associated wings and departments. The main event marking the national poet's 123rd birth anniversary will take place at Cumilla Birchandra Public Library and City Auditorium premises (Town Hall) at 11 am.  Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud will be present at the opening ceremony as the chief guest, which will also be joined by Nazrul’s granddaughter Khilkhil Kazi as a special guest. Country’s leading cultural institution Chhayanaut is set to organize a two-day "Nazrul Uthsab '' from May 25 at the Chhayanaut Sangskriti Bhaban, Dhanmondi in the capital.  This year, the event is welcoming in-person attendance for the first time in the last two years, and the festival will be featuring performances inspired by Nazrul's literature and songs at Chhayanaut's auditorium at 7 pm. The festival will also be aired on Chhayanaut's official Facebook page and YouTube channel. On Tuesday, Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University (JKKNIU) in Trishal, Mymensingh, inaugurated a three-day celebration programme, featuring discussion, awards ceremony, photography exhibition and cultural programmes.  Also read:Nazrul’s ‘Bidrohi’ recited by hundred people in a chorus in Chuadanga Posts and Telecommunications Minister Mustafa Jabbar was present as the chief guest at JKKNIU’s Gahi Sammyer Gaan Mancha on the first day’s event at 11 am. Vice-Chancellor Prof.Soumitra Shekhar chaired the event, which was also joined by Poet Muhammad Nurul Huda, Director General of Bangla Academy as the special guest. On the occasion, eminent Nazrul sangeet exponent Sujit Mostafa was awarded with the Nazrul Padak. The Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre (IGCC) organized a solo music show of renowned Nazrul exponent Khairul Anam Shakil on Tuesday. The event, titled “Nazrul Sangeet Sandhya” was held at the National Art Gallery of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy at 6:30 pm. Many other organizations and institutions including Bangla Academy, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Kazi Nazrul Institute and more will be organizing special events, marking the 123rd birth anniversary of the poet. Several television channels, radio stations and online platforms are organizing special programmes, marking the occasion. Newspapers will publish special supplements on the occasion. According to the Nazrul Institute, Kazi Nazrul wrote 2,600 songs, 600 poetry, three novels, and 43 articles in a career spanning 21 years before losing his speech. After the death of his father, Kazi Nazrul obtained a job as a caregiver and also worked as a muezzin at a mosque to support his family. At the age of nine, he had to drop out of school to join a Churulia-based professional ‘leto' company. He was introduced to Bangali and Sanskrit literature while working for the group. He returned to school a year later and enrolled at Matharun English School, but dropped out again in Class VI due to poverty. After a while, police officer Kazi Rafizullah took him in at his home in Trishal, Mymensingh, and enrolled him in Class VII at Darirampur School. Serving the British Army in 1917 as a soldier, Kazi Nazrul started his literary career within a few years. His cult-classic poem ‘Bidrohi’ (The Rebel) was published in 1921. A year later, he started a fortnightly magazine named ‘Dhumketu’ (The Comet). His nationalist participation in the Indian Independence Movement landed him in the hands of colonial British authorities on several occasions.  While in prison, Kazi Nazrul authored the 'Rajbandir Jabanbandi' (Deposition of a Political Prisoner), and his creations later encouraged Bangladesh Liberation War. Freedom, humanity, love and revolution are the constant themes in Kazi Nazrul's majestic literary creations. He was against all sorts of religious, caste-based, and gender-based discrimination and extremism. He wrote short stories, novels and essays, but his songs and poems are his most critically acclaimed literary creations. He popularised Bengali ghazal melodies, and is noted for his liberal usage of Arabic and Persian terms in his writings. Kazi Nazrul created a new genre in music called ‘Nazrul Geeti’, a collection of 4,000 songs that he wrote and created the music for, many of which were recorded on HMV. In 1942, Kazi Nazrul began to lose his voice and memory due to an unexplained ailment. Later, a medical team in Vienna identified his illness as Pick's disease, a rare and incurable neurodegenerative disease. His family travelled to Bangladesh at the invitation of then Bangladeshi government and settled down in Dhaka in 1972. For his iconic contribution to Bangla literature and culture, Dhaka University awarded him an honorary post-doctoral degree in 1974. He was awarded Ekushey Padak in 1976.  Kazi Nazrul breathed his last in Dhaka on August 29, 1976. Also read: Remembering Nazrul, a poet par excellence! President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages highlighting the colourful life of the poet and his contributions to Bangla language and literature. In his message, the President said, “Nazrul’s write-ups inspired us in all democratic movements including the anti-British movement, the Language Movement, the Mass Uprising in 1969, and the Liberation War.” “I firmly believe that the new generation will be able to enrich themselves through the practice of Nazrul and will play a role in building a happy and prosperous ‘Sonar Bangla’ with patriotism and honesty.” In her message, the Prime Minister said, “I believe Nazrul's write-ups will play a role in building a non-communal, peaceful, happy, prosperous and modern Bangladesh.” She also wished success of all programmes marking the day.

Friday marked the 45th death anniversary of national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam, widely revered for his limitless contribution to Bengali literature. To commemorate the life and works of the rebel poet, different organisations and institutions organised multiple programmes throughout the day. In the morning, the Ministry of Cultural Affairs paid its tribute to the poet by placing floral wreaths on his grave beside the Dhaka University Central Mosque. State Minister for Cultural Affairs KM Khalid Cultural Affairs Secretary Md Abul Monsur, Bangla Academy Director General Nurul Huda, Bangla Academy Secretary AHM Lokman, Kabi Nazrul Institute Executive Director Mohammad Zakir Hossain all paid tributes to the rebel poet. Also read: Chhayanaut's 4-day virtual tribute to Nazrul concludes Around 10am, a webinar was organised by Kabi Nazrul Institute, followed by a cultural programme. The online programmes -- streamed live on the institute’s Facebook page -- was joined by Khalid as the chief guest while Secretary Mansur and Kazi Nazrul's granddaughter Khilkhil Kazi were virtually present as special guests. Kabi Nazrul Institute’s trustee board member Sayeda Motahara Banu and Cultural Affairs Additional Secretary Manirul Alam also participated in the discussions at the virtual programme, presided over by the institute’s Executive Director Mohammad Zakir Hossain. Dhaka University also organised a virtual event at 10.30 in the morning. Presided over by Vice-Chancellor Mohammad Akhtaruzzaman, the programme was joined by National Professor Dr Rafiqul Islam. Bangla Academy is also slated to hold a virtual event on its Facebook page at 4pm, which will be joined by Khalid as the chief guest. The event will be chaired by Bangla Academy Chairman, National Professor Dr Rafiqul Islam, while Director General Nurul Huda will deliver the welcome speech.   Professor Syed Azizul Huq will read an essay at the event, while Professor Khaled Hossain will participate in the discussion. Also read: Jaago Nari: Arnob's tryst with Nazrul geeti The country’s leading cultural institution, Chhayanaut will also stream an online programme, ‘Milone Birohe Nazrul’, on its Facebook group and YouTube channel at 9pm. Besides, several television channels, radio stations and online platforms will broadcast special programmes commemorating the life and works of Kazi Nazrul. Known and regarded as the ‘rebel poet’ for his iconoclastic and majestic literary creations, Kazi Nazrul was born in Churulia village of Burdwan in the Indian state of West Bengal in 1899. According to the Nazrul Institute, Kazi Nazrul wrote 2,600 songs, 600 poetry, three novels, and 43 articles in a career spanning 21 years before losing his speech. After the death of his father, Kazi Nazrul obtained a job as a caregiver and also worked as a muezzin at a mosque to support his family. At the age of nine, he had to drop out of school to join a Churulia-based professional ‘leto' company. He was introduced to Bangali and Sanskrit literature while working for the group. He returned to school a year later and enrolled at Matharun English School, but dropped out again in Class VI due to poverty. After a while, police officer Kazi Rafizullah took him in at his home in Trishal, Mymensingh, and enrolled him in Class VII at Darirampur School. Serving the British Army in 1917 as a soldier, Kazi Nazrul started his literary career within a few years. His cult-classic poem ‘Bidrohi’ (The Rebel) was published in 1921. A year later, he started a fortnightly magazine named ‘Dhumketu’ (The Comet). His nationalist participation in the Indian Independence Movement landed him in the hands of colonial British authorities on several occasions.  While in prison, Kazi Nazrul authored the 'Rajbandir Jabanbandi' (Deposition of a Political Prisoner), and his creations later encouraged Bangladesh Liberation War. Freedom, humanity, love and revolution are the constant themes in Kazi Nazrul's majestic literary creations. He was against all sorts of religious, caste-based, and gender-based discrimination and extremism. He wrote short stories, novels and essays, but his songs and poems are his most critically acclaimed literary creations. He popularised Bengali ghazal melodies, and is noted for his liberal usage of Arabic and Persian terms in his writings. Kazi Nazrul created a new genre in music called ‘Nazrul Geeti’, a collection of 4,000 songs that he wrote and created the music for, many of which were recorded on HMV. In 1942, Kazi Nazrul began to lose his voice and memory due to an unexplained ailment. Later, a medical team in Vienna identified his illness as Pick's disease, a rare and incurable neurodegenerative disease. His family travelled to Bangladesh at the invitation of then Bangladeshi government and settled down in Dhaka in 1972. For his iconic contribution to Bangla literature and culture, Dhaka University awarded him an honorary post-doctoral degree in 1974. He was awarded Ekushey Padak in 1976.  Kazi Nazrul breathed his last in Dhaka on August 29, 1976.

The Embassy of Bangladesh in Seoul in partnership with the Embassy of India in Seoul, Indian Art Museum, Tagore Society of Korea and the Bengali Association of Korea and expatriate Bangladeshis celebrated the "Rabindra-Nazrul Jayanti" Saturday. Also, the centenary of the publication of Kazi Nazrul Islam's poem "Bidrohi" (The Rebel) was observed, and a cultural presentation on the music and poems written by Rabindranath Tagore and Kazi Nazrul Islam was released. The Bangladesh Embassy, for the first time, celebrated the Rabindra-Nazrul Jayanti and centenary of the publication of Nazrul's poem Bidrohi in partnership with the Indian Embassy in Seoul, Indian Art Museum, Tagore Society of Korea, expatriate Bangladeshis and the Bengali Association of Korea.