NATIONAL POET OF BANGLADESH
Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam

The birth centenary of Poet Nazrul has recently been observed. This centenary of birth of the rebel poet has been observed in both Bangladesh and West Bengal during the past one year. Nazrul has earned recognition as one of the greatest Bengalees of the twentieth century. Poet Kazi Nazrul islam was revelation for us. His sudden and luminous appearance on the sky of Bangla literature, at a time when Rabindranath Tagore was the brightest star, gave rise to storms. In truth, as a young rebel poet his rise was meteoric. Not mild utterances, nut he shouted like a Lion, "Say Hero/my head is forever held high" . Not only rebellion, he also sang of equality"I sing of equality/ there is nothing greater of nobler than man" . He was also an exponent of women's liberation: "I sing of equality/ in my eyes there is no difference between man and woman" . His utterances were crystal clear, there were no smokes, and that was at a time when the Indian subcontinent was gradually moving towards independence.

Nazrul sought independence, equality, communal harmony and an end to superstitions, injustice and repression. Overnight, he was acclaimed as a people's poet. Alongside that came insults and tortures by the rulers. But the people of the country embraced this daring son of mothe r bengal, one who did miracles for them. In no time that stormy bird occupied a permanent place in the hearts of the Bengalees. His credential as a 'People' s Poet' and a 'Stormy Poet' has not been erased even today and possibly will never be. He got the rare honor of becoming the national poet of both the Bengals. Even in the age of Raindranath, he received accolade as second only to Tagore in the literary arena.

Nazrul' s views about rebellion, independence, equality, freedom, women's emancipation and commu nal harmony are relevant even today. He has conquered the ages in the process. It was very sad that Bangla literature was deprived of his writhing after he lost his speech in the middle of his life. That sad event occurred in the early forties. Our litera ture was the loser in the process. The amity between Hindus and Muslims also suffered. Nazrul's writings and speech could have helped a lot in reducing the acrimony between these two communities during the days of partition.

Apart from the above, Nazrul is also remembered by the Bengalees for another outstanding achievement- music. Here also, there was a big surprise. Even though belonging to the age of Rabindranath, he was distinct and luminous through his own individuality. He composed innumerable songs o f unlimited varities, surpassing even Rabindranath. His greatest contribution was the composition of Bangla Ghazzls. Transforming Farsi Ghazals into Bangla, popularizing them and giving them a permanent place in Bangla music was definitely and extraordinary and unique achievement. The future generation of Bengalees will remain grateful to him for this, just as they are for his poetry for rebellion and love. During this birth century of Nazrul, we find solace from the fact that although we grown-ups have divided wvery thing that came our way, we were ultimately defeated by this alone individual. He could not be divided, and hopefully, he never will be.

A Chronology of Life

1899 May 24, Kazi Nazrul Islam born at the village of Churulia in the district of Bardhaman, West Bengal, India. Mother, Zaheda Khatun; father, Kazi Fakir Ahmad, the Imam (the head of a mosque) and the custodian of the Haji Pahlwan's mazar (a Muslim shrine) in his village; brothers, Kazi Shahebjan and
Kazi Ali Hussain, and sister, Umme Kulsum (three surviving out of the total of seven sons and two daughters of Fakir Ahmad).

1908 March 20, Nazrul's father dies at the age of 60.

1909 Passes the Muslim lower primary education examination in a maktab (a Muslim primary school).

1910 Discontinues formal schooling due to financial hardship. Earns his livelihood as a teacher at a maktab, muazzin (a caller for prayer at a mosque), and a custodian of the village shrine, etc.

1911 Joins a leto group (folk musical troupe) with encouragement and help from his uncle, Kazi Bazle Karim, a singer-songwriter-composer, himself a Goda Kobi (the leading poet) of his troupe. Bazle Karim wrote songs in Bengali as well as Urdu and Farsi. Upon his death, Nazrul succeeded him as the Goda Kobi. Nazrul's talent impressed many others, including the reputed, Sheikh Chokor Ali Goda, who also encouraged him to develop his leto career. During his four years or so with leto troupes, along with songs, Nazrul also wrote scripts for leto dramas. One of his scripts was based on the Bengali epic poem, Meghnad Badh (The Slaughter of Meghnad) by Madhusudan Dutt (1824-1873). Most of Nazrul's writings for leto have been lost.

1911 Studies at Mathrun Nabinchandra Institution (class VI).

1912 Works in the household of a railway guard, in a bakery shop, etc.

1913-14 Meets Kazi Rafizullah, a police sub-inspector, who arranges for Nazrul to study free of charge at Darirampur High School in Mymensingh. Completes class VII, then returns to Churulia.

1915-17 Admitted to Searsol Raj High School in Raniganj, Bardhaman, in class VIII. Kazi Manzoor Hussain, a distant relative, helped making the arrangements for free schooling and accomodation. Studies through class X, until the pre-test examination required prior to the matriculation examination. At Searsol Raj meets Satish Kanjilal, a teacher with some mastery in classical music, who actively encourages Nazrul to continue to develop his musical talent. Also meets Nibaranchandra Ghatak, a teacher and member of an underground revolutionary organization committed to go as far as armed struggle against the British colonial government. Attracted by the thought of utilizing the training later for the freedom movement, Nazrul and his schoolmate Shailajananda Mukhopadhyaya (the latter day reknowned literateur) decide to join the army. They travel to Calcutta. Nazrul passes the recruitment examination, Shailajananda doesn't. Nazrul joins the army in the 49th Bangali Paltan. Trains in Nawshera, stationed in Karachi.

1919 First publication, "Bounduler Atma-kahini" (Life Storey of a Vagabond), a short story, in Saogat magazine, Ist year, 7th issue, in Calcutta, Mohammad Nasiruddin, editor. The first article published, "Turki Mahilar Ghomta Khola" (The Unveiled Face of a Turkish Woman), in Saogat, 1st year, 12th issue. First poem published, "Mukti" (Freedom), in the Bangiyo Mussalman Sahitya Patrika (Bengal Muslim Literary Magazine). Nazrul a Havildar (seargent) in the army in Karachi.

1920 Returns to Calcutta, first staying in the same hostel with Shailajananda Mukhopadhyaya, then in a rented apartment with Comrade Muzaffar Ahmad. First song published, "Udbodhan" (Inauguration), in Saogat, 2nd year, 6th issue. April, Bandhanhara (Free from Bonds), a novel, begins its serialized publication in Muslim Bharat (Muslim India). July, appointed a joint-editor, with Muzaffar Ahmad, of Daily Navajoog (The Daily New Age, from the Sanskrit "nava"—new, "yuga"—age or era), founded by A. K. Fazlul Huq.

1921 Goes to Daulatpur in Comilla with Ali Akbar Khan (not to be confused with the present day sarod master). June 18, married to Syeda Nargis A'sar Khanam, a niece of Ali Akbar Khan. Disagreements between Nazrul and Nargis' family on the night of the wedding. Nazrul leaves Daulatpur on June 19, never to see Nargis again. (Their only corespondence was through letters, one each way, in 1937—Nargis' letter to Nazrul and the latter's reply. Divorce confirmed in 1937. Nargis remarried to Azizul Hakim in 1938.) October, visits Santiniketan with Mohammad Shahidullah and meets Rabindranath Tagore for the first time. December, writes "Bidrohi" (The Rebel).

1922 "Bidrohi" published in the January 6th issue of Shaptahik Bijli (Weekly Lightning). "Bidrohi" also published in Muslim Bharat. March, Nazrul's first book, Byathar Dan (Offerings of Pain), a collection of short stories, published in Calcutta. August 11, a bi-weekly Dhumketu (The Comet) premieres, Nazrul is the editor. September 26, Nazrul's poem, "Anandamoyeer Agamoney" (Coming of Goddess Durga), published in Dhumketu. October 13, India's complete freedom from the British government demanded in Dhumketu. October 13, Agni Bina (The Fiery Bina), a collection of poems, published in Calcutta. Proscribed by the government. October 25, Jooga Bani (The Message of the Age), a collection of essays, published in Calcutta. Proscribed by the government. November 8, a warrant for arrest issued against Nazrul on charges of sedition. November 23, Nazrul arrested in Comilla.

1923 January 16, Nazrul delivers "Rajbandir Jabanbandi" (Deposition of a Political Prisoner) in the court of the Chief Presidency Magistrate Swinho, in Calcutta; sentenced to 1 year of hard labor imprisonment. January 27, "Rajbandir Jabanbandi" published in Dhumketu, the final issue, in Calcutta. February 22, Rabindranath Tagore dedicates his song-drama, Basanta (Spring) to Nazrul. Dolan Champa (name of a faintly fragrant monsoon flower), a collection of poems and songs, published in Calcutta. April-May, Nazrul goes on a hunger strike to protest the mistreatment of political prisoners by the jail authority. Revolutionary, populist novelist and short story writer Sharatchandra Chattapadhyaya visits Nazrul in jail, requesting him to end his hunger strike. Similar requests from many others, including the liberationist political leader Deshbandhu Chittaranjan Das. Rabindranath Tagore sends Nazrul a telegram from Shilong, "Give up hunger strike, our literature claims you." Nazrul stays on hunger strike for 40 days. December, Nazrul released from jail.

1924 Married to Pramila (Duli), the only daughter of Giribala Sengupta. The couple settle in Hooghly. Their first son, Azad Kamal (also named Krishna Muhammad), is born. Azad dies the same year. Bisher Banshi (The Poison Flute) and Bhangar Gan (The Song of Destruction), both collections of songs and poems, published in Calcutta. Both are proscribed.

1925 May, meets Gandhi in the Faridpur Congress. November 10, "The Labour Swaraj Party of the Indian National Congress" formed. Nazrul announces and publishes the Party pamphlet. December 16, the premiere issue of Langal (The Plough), the Party magazine, contains Nazrul's set of poems on equality.

1926 The family moves to Krishnanagar. Langal's name is changed to Gono-Bani (Voice of the People). May, writes and sings "Kandari Hushiar" (Helmsman Be Aware) for the inaugural song of the Krishnanagar Congress. Their second son, Arindam Khalid (Bulbul), born. Composes his first ghazal, "Bulbuli tui phul shakhate dis ne aji dol."

1927 February, comes to Dacca to attend and speak at the annual conference of the "Muslim Sahitya Samaj" (Muslim Literary Society). Nazrul faces tremendous financial hardship, especially due to non-payment for his writings by several publishers; faces health crisis as well as growing threats and harassment by both the British government and the Hindu and Muslim conservative members of society; even subjected to physical attacks. March, Saogat sponsors a "variety performance" to benefit Nazrul and his family. Held at Albert Hall in Calcutta, attended by Nazrul. July, Sufia N. Hossain (later Sufia Kamal), a young poet of 16, moved by the news of Nazrul's continual, even worsening, hardship and harassment, appeals "as his [Nazrul's] mother, his sister" in a letter to Saogat editor Mohammad Nasiruddin to come to his rescue, to "tie him with affection." Nazrul accepts Nasiruddin's offer to join the salaried staff of Saogat, commuting from Krishnanagar.

1928 Mother dies. Two separate editions of Sanchita published. November, Nazrul honored by the "Haragachha Tarun Sanghya" (Haragachha Youth Organization) in Rangpur. For both financial and health considerations, Nazrul's friends and well-wishers associated with Saogat help the family to move to Calcutta. On behalf of the family, Saogat rents an apartment in the same building until the family moves to Pan Bagan a few months later. December, Nazrul honored by the Rajshahi Muslim Club in Rajshahi. December, Nazrul attends the conference of the "Nikhil Bharat Krishak o Sramik Dal" (All India Farmers and Workers Party); sings the inaugural song. December, Nazrul sings the inaugural song at the meeting of the All India Socialist Youth Congress at Calcutta, presided by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru.

1929 Son, Kazi Sabyasachi, born. January, Nazrul attends the inaugural ceremony of the "Muslim Shiksha Samity" (Muslim Education Association) in Chittagong; honored by several organizations in Chittagong the same year, including the Bulbul Society. Honored by the Kushtia Municipality in Kushtia. Honored at the annual conference of the Bogra Akkelpur Youngmen's Muslim Association. December 15, a grand National Civic Reception for Nazrul held at Albert Hall, Calcutta, organized by the "Saogat Sahitya Majlis" (Saogat Literary Society). Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray, an eminent Bengali scientist, presiding; and Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, the celebrated political leader and freedom fighter, the chief guest.

1930 Son, Kazi Anirudhha, born. Pralayshikha (The Doomsday Flame) a collection of poems and songs, and Chandrabindu (The Nasal Mark), a collection of songs, published in Calcutta; both are proscribed. May 7, Bulbul dies of smallpox. Even by this early age of three and a half, Bulbul had shown signs of astounding musical talent. For a period lasting several years in the 30s, Nazrul's career flourishes with a variety of roles, including as a recording artist with gramophone companies, a composer, music director, singer, song and story writer, actor, etc., in films, plays, and radio programs. Nazrul's association with gramophone companies brought him a few years of financial success. It was difficult for Nazrul to get a recording contract because of the British authority who would not allow the recording of his songs on political grounds. Even the admirers of Nazrul were subject to scrutiny. Harendra Dutta sang and recorded a song of Nazrul but kept Nazrul's name out of the label fearing that the British authority of the recording company (His Master's Voice) would not permit the recording. But the recording companies finally gave in to the immense popularity of Nazrul and, sensing profit in it, started offering him contracts. Nazrul's association with recording companies possibly began during 1928, flourishing during the 30s. Over the years, the recording companies which Nazrul associated with included Megaphone, Hindustan, Senola and His Master's Voice (HMV). The chief trainer of HMV was Ustad Jamiruddin Khan, a reputed master of Hindustani classical and semiclassical music. Nazrul trained under him, and upon Ustad Jamiruddin Khan's death in 1932, succeeded him as the chief trainer, in addition to his current position as the chief composer. Nazrul also associated himself closely with many other eminent musicians, including Ustads Kader Bux, Manju Saheb, Dabir Khan, Mastan Gama, Pandits Jnanendraprasad Goswami and Suresh Chakravarty.

1931 June, travels to Darjeeling, accompanied by the Barshabani editor, Jahanara Chowdhury; meets with Tagore.

1932 Presides over the Sirajganj Bangiyo Muslim Tarun Sammelan (Sirajganj Bengali Muslim Youth Conference).

1936 Presides over the Faridpur Muslim Students Conference.

1938 Presides over the Bangiyo Mussalman Sahitya Sammelan (Bengali Muslim Literary Conference) in Calcutta. Pramila Nazrul afflicted with paralysis of the lower half of her body. Financial crisis re-emerging, compounded by Pramila's medical expenses. Nazrul resorts to mortgaging the royalties of his gramophone records and literary works for a mere sum of 4000 rupees.

1940 Assumes the chief editorship of the republished Nabajoog. Attends the year-end celebration program of Dacca Radio.

1941 March, presides over the annual conference of Bangaon Sahitya Sabha (Bangaon Literary Society). April 5 & 6, presides over the Silver Jubilee celebration of the Bangio Mussalman Sahitya Samiti; delivers his final address, "Jodi ar Banshi na baje" (If the flute doesn't play any more). May 25, Nazrul's 43rd birthday celebrated in Calcutta; Poet Jatindra Mohan Bagchi, presiding. August 7, Tagore dies in Calcutta. Nazrul reads his poem, "Rabihara" (Loss of Rabi) on All India Radio, Calcutta, soon afterwards.

1942 July 10, while participating in a children's program on All India Radio, Calcutta, Nazrul is struck by the loss of his power of speech. His mental capacities affected. July 19, taken to health retreat Madhupur for a change. October 7, admitted to Lumbini Park Mental Hospital, Calcutta, for three months. No improvements.

1943 Nazrul Niramoy Samiti, a committee to care for Nazrul formed; Shyamaprasad Mukhopadhaya, president.

1945 Calcutta University awards Nazrul the "Jagattarini Gold Medal."

1947 August, the end of British rule in India. India divided into India and Pakistan.

1952 July, the Nazrul Niramoy Samiti sends Nazrul and Pramila to an asylum in Ranchi for treatment for four months. No improvements.

1953 May, the Samiti sends them to London, then to Vienna for treatment. No improvements. Return to Calcutta on December 15.

1960 Awarded the "Padmabhushan" title by the Government of India.

1962 June 30, Pramila dies. Buried in Churulia.

1971 March 25, Bangladesh's liberation war against Pakistan's colonial rule begins in the face of planned genocide of the Bengalis. December 16, the Pakistani military forces surrender to the joint command of the Bangladeshi Mukti Bahini—the freedom fighters—and the Indian army. Bangladesh assumes its sovereignty.

1972 May 24, Nazrul brought to Bangladesh under a state arrangement, accompanied by Uma Kazi, the wife of his son Kazi Sabyasachi.

1974 Son Kazi Anirudhha dies.

1975 Dhaka University confers an honorary D.Lit. on Nazrul.

1976 Bangladesh citizenship conferred on Nazrul. Awarded the "Ekushe Padak" by Bangladesh Government. August 29, Sunday, 10 A.M., Nazrul dies in P.G. Hospital in Dhaka. Buried in Dhaka.