National poet Kazi Nazrul Islam's 126th birth anniversary today

Today marks the 126th birth anniversary of Bangladesh’s National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam, widely revered as the "Rebel Poet" for his fiery literary works and unwavering stand against oppression and injustice.

Nazrul’s prolific contributions to Bengali literature, music, and philosophy continue to inspire generations.

Born on 11th Joishtho, 1306 in the Bengali calendar at Churulia village of West Bengal’s Asansol in Bardhaman district, Nazrul's early life was marked by hardship and struggle. From a young age, he engaged in various jobs to support his family before joining the British Indian Army in 1917, where he also participated in the First World War.

Nazrul’s literary journey began in earnest during his military service. His breakthrough came with the publication of the magazine Dhumketu in 1922, which included his revolutionary poem 'Anandamoyeer Agomone', leading to his imprisonment for one year under British colonial rule.

Despite a relatively short creative career of about 22 years, Nazrul authored thousands of poems, songs, novels, and essays. He composed around 3,000 songs—collectively known as Nazrul Geeti—which reflect themes of rebellion, love, devotion, and humanism. Beyond writing, he also made his mark in the film industry by directing and acting in the movie Dhrubo.

In 1972, following Bangladesh's independence, the government brought Nazrul and his family to Dhaka as a mark of national recognition. He spent the final years of his life in Bangladesh, passing away on August 29, 1976, at PG Hospital (now BSMMU). Honouring his last wishes, Nazrul was laid to rest beside the Dhaka University central mosque.