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{{Short description|Bengali poet, writer and musician (1899–1976)}}
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{{Infobox person

| honorific_prefix = Rebel Poet<br />National Poet
| image_name = Nazrul.jpg
| name = Kazi Nazrul Islam
| image_caption =
| image = Nazrul.jpg

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| name = '''Kazi Nazrul Islam''' | landscape =
| birth = ], ] | alt =
| death = ], ] | caption = Kazi Nazrul Islam in 1926, ]
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| pronunciation = {{IPA|bn|kad͡ʒi nod͡ʒɾul islam|}}

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| other_names = Dukhu Mia
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* {{marriage|Pramila Devi|1924|1962|reason=d.}}{{efn|Birth name Ashalata Sengupta.}}
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| father = Kazi Faqeer Ahmed
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* Jagattarini Medal (1945)
* ] ] (1960)
* ] ] (1976)
* ] ] (1977)
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'''Kazi Nazrul Islam''' ({{langx|bn|কাজী নজরুল ইসলাম}}, {{IPA|bn|kad͡ʒi ˈnod͡ʒɾul islam|pron|Bn-কাজী নজরুল ইসলাম.ogg}}; 24 May 1899{{efn|11 Jaistha 1306 Bengali Year.}} – 29 August 1976) was a Bengali poet, short story writer, journalist, lyricist and musician.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Langley |first=Winston |title=Kazi Nazrul Islam: The Voice of Poetry and the Struggle for Human Wholeness |date=2007 |publisher=] |page=5}}</ref> He is the ] of ].<ref>{{cite news |title=Signed and sealed: Bangladesh officially recognises Kazi Nazrul Islam as national poet |url=https://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/4b95f5a98090 |work=] |date=3 January 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250103191415/https://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/4b95f5a98090 |archive-date=3 January 2025 |language=en}}</ref> Nazrul produced a ] with themes, that included equality, justice, anti-imperialism, humanity, rebellion against oppression and religious devotion.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Hemal |first=Mahmudul |date=28 May 2015 |title=Nazrul's humanist vision |url=http://www.dhakacourier.com.bd/nazruls-humanist-vision/ |magazine=] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170418191030/http://www.dhakacourier.com.bd/nazruls-humanist-vision/ |archive-date=18 April 2017 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Nazrul Islam's activism for political and social justice as well as writing a poem titled as "Bidrohī", meaning "the rebel" in Bengali, earned him the title of "Bidrohī Kôbi" (''Rebel Poet'').<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Mitra |first=Priti K. |date=1 May 1993 |title=The Rebel Poet and the Mahatma: Kazi Nazrul Islam's Critique of Gandhi's Politics in the 1920s |journal=South Asia Research |language=en |volume=13 |issue=1 |pages=46–55 |doi=10.1177/026272809301300103 |issn=0262-7280 |s2cid=144847702}}</ref> His compositions form the ] genre of ] (''Music of Nazrul'').{{efn|Multiple references:<ref name="pmo">{{Cite web |last1=Sheik Hasina |title=India-Bangladesh Joint Celebration, 113th birth anniversary of Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam and 90th year of his poem 'Rebel' |url=http://pmo.portal.gov.bd/sites/default/files/files/pmo.portal.gov.bd/pm_speech/800b9859_57b3_46b8_8bfd_e34f45c8e249/India.pdf |access-date=26 December 2013 |publisher=Prime Minister's Office, Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite news |last=Chakraborti |first=Suman |date=26 May 2015 |title=West Bengal government celebrates Kazi Nazrul Islam's birth anniversary |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/West-Bengal-government-celebrates-Kazi-Nazrul-Islams-birth-anniversary/articleshow/47431715.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170419232039/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/West-Bengal-government-celebrates-Kazi-Nazrul-Islams-birth-anniversary/articleshow/47431715.cms |archive-date=19 April 2017 |access-date=6 April 2016 |work=]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=27 May 2018 |title=Nazrul Jayanti celebrated across Silchar |work=The Sentinel |url=https://www.sentinelassam.com/news/nazrul-jayanti-celebrated-across-silchar/ |access-date=28 June 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Menon |first=Anoop |date=26 April 2017 |title=List of public holidays in May 2017 to plan out your vacations |work=Travel India |url=http://www.india.com/travel/articles/list-of-public-holidays-in-may-2017-to-plan-out-your-vacations/ |url-status=live |access-date=28 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180628182747/http://www.india.com/travel/articles/list-of-public-holidays-in-may-2017-to-plan-out-your-vacations/ |archive-date=28 June 2018 |quote=Tripura will be celebrating Nazrul Jayanti on 26 May}}</ref>}}


Born into a ] ] family hailing from ] in ] in ] (now in ], India),<ref name="nazrul1"/> Nazrul Islam received religious education and as a young man worked as a ] at a local mosque. He learned about poetry, drama, and literature while working with the rural theatrical group ''Leṭor Dôl'', ''Leṭo'' being a folk song genre of West Bengal<ref>{{cite book|last=Bhattacharya|first=Ashutosh|title=''Bangiya Lok-Sangeet Ratnakar, Vol. 4 (An Encyclopaedia of Bengali Folk-song)''|language=bn|publisher=A. Mukherjee & Co. Pvt. Ltd.|place=Calcutta|date=1977|page=1802|quote=''পশ্চিম বাংলার এক শ্রেণীর জনপ্রিয় লোক-সঙ্গীত লেটো গান, ইহাকে লাটু গান, লোট্যার গানও বলে৷''}}</ref> usually performed by the people from Muslim community of the region. He joined the ] in 1917 and was posted in Karachi. Nazrul Islam established himself as a journalist in ] after the war ended. He criticised the ] and called for revolution through his famous poetic works, such as ] ('The Rebel') and "Bhangar Gan" ('The Song of Destruction'),<ref>{{Cite book |last=Alam |first=Abu Yusuf |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EYRuAAAAMAAJ&q=kazi+nazrul+islam+Bhangar+Gaan |title=Muslims and Bengal Politics (1912–24) |date=2005 |publisher=Raktakarabee |pages=256 |language=en}}</ref> as well as in his publication '']'' ('The Comet'). His nationalist activism in ] led to his frequent imprisonment by the colonial British authorities. While in prison, Nazrul Islam wrote the "Rajbôndīr Jôbanbôndī" ('Deposition of a Political Prisoner').<ref>{{Cite book |last=Hāldār |first=Gopāl |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ngWdRBPXjkAC&q=kazi+nazrul+islam+Rajbandir+Jabanbandi |title=Kazi Nazrul Islam |date=1973 |publisher=] |pages=41 |language=en}}</ref> His writings greatly inspired ] of ] during the ].
'''Kazi Nazrul Islam''' ({{lang-bn|কাজী নজরুল ইসলাম}}) (b. ], ] &mdash; d. ], ]) was a ] ], ], ] and ] who is best known for pioneering works of ]. He is popularly known as the ''Bidrohi Kobi'' &mdash; ''Rebel Poet'' &mdash; as many of his works showcase an intense rebellion against oppression of humans through slavery, hatred and tradition. He is officially recognised as the ] of ] and commemorated in ].


Nazrul Islam's writings explored themes such as freedom, humanity, love, and revolution. He opposed all forms of bigotry and fundamentalism, including religious, ]-based and gender-based.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kazi |first=Ankan |date=14 June 2017 |title=Diminishing A Poet |work=The Indian Express |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/diminishing-a-poet-kazi-nazrul-islam-4702739/ |access-date=28 June 2018}}</ref> Nazrul wrote short stories, novels, and essays but is best known for his songs and poems. He introduced the ] songs in the Bengali language<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hussain |first=Azfar |title=Rereading Kazi Nazrul Islam |date=3 April 2012 |via=YouTube |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bf9nvzmIVvY |access-date=15 July 2016 |format=Video lecture}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Ali |first=Sarwat |date=21 September 2014 |title=A taste of Bengal |url=http://tns.thenews.com.pk/firoza-begum-a-taste-of-bengal/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180628184010/http://tns.thenews.com.pk/firoza-begum-a-taste-of-bengal/ |archive-date=28 June 2018 |access-date=28 June 2018 |work=The News International |publisher=The News on Sunday |quote=Firoza Begum too sang these Bengali ghazals of Nazrul Islam}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite news |last=Shafiqul Islam |first=Mohammad |date=25 May 2007 |title=Nazrul: An ardent lover of humanity |url=http://archive.thedailystar.net/2007/05/25/d70525140299.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180204123949/http://archive.thedailystar.net/2007/05/25/d70525140299.htm |archive-date=4 February 2018 |access-date=28 June 2018 |work=The Daily Star |quote=He is best known for his songs, in which he pioneered new forms such as Bengali ghazals}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Feature article |title=Remembering the rebel poet |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/Remembering-the-rebel-poet/article14639464.ece |access-date=2 March 2021 |work=] |date=15 September 2016 |language=en-IN}}</ref> and is also known for his extensive use of ] and ] influenced ] words in his works.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Shams |first=Ahmed Tahsin |date=24 May 2018 |title=The rebel icon of Bengal: Kazi Nazrul Islam |work=The Bangladesh Post |url=http://www.thebangladeshpost.com/national/29149 |access-date=7 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180528064030/http://www.thebangladeshpost.com/national/29149 |archive-date=28 May 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Rashid |first1=Md Mumit Al |last2=Nur |first2=Tanjina Binte |date=24 November 2017 |title=Persian Words Used in Kazi Nazrul Islam's Poetry |journal=Language Art |volume=2 |issue=4 |pages=117–128 |doi=10.22046/LA.2017.23 |issn=2538-2713}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Ahmed |first=Dr. Forqan Uddin |date=27 August 2018 |title=Kazi Nazrul Islam : Classic and romantic |url=http://www.thedailynewnation.com/news/186431/kazi-nazrul-islam--classic-and-romantic |access-date=25 May 2020 |work=The New Nation |archive-date=3 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211003061435/http://www.thedailynewnation.com/news/186431/kazi-nazrul-islam--classic-and-romantic |url-status=dead }}</ref>
Born in a poor ] family, Nazrul received religious education and worked as a ] at a local ]. He learned of poetry, drama, and literature while working with theatrical groups. After a stint in the ], Nazrul established himself as a journalist in ] (then Calcutta). He assailed the ] and preached revolution through his poetic works, such as "Bidrohi" ("The Rebel") and "Bhangar Gaan" ("The Song of Destruction"), as well as his publication "Dhumketu" ("The Comet"). While in prison, Nazrul wrote the "Rajbandir Jabanbandi" ("Deposition of a Political Prisoner"), intensifying his criticism of ]. Nazrul condemned Muslim religious fundamentalism and explored the lives of downtrodden masses in India. He remained active in political organisations and literary, art, and music societies.


Nazrul Islam wrote and composed music for nearly 4,000 songs (many recorded on ] ]s),<ref>{{Cite book |last=Hossain |first=Quazi Motahar |title=Nazrul: An Evaluation |publisher=Nazrul Institute |year=2000 |isbn=978-984-555-167-0 |editor-last=] |location=Dhaka |page=55 |chapter=Nazrul Islam, the Singer and Writer of Songs |author-link=Qazi Motahar Hossain |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MtpVAAAACAAJ}}</ref> collectively known as ''Nazrul Gīti.'' In 1942 at the age of 43, he began to be affected by an unknown disease, losing his voice and memory. A medical team in ] diagnosed the disease as ],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Farooq |first=Mohammad Omar |title=Kazi Nazrul Islam: Illness and Treatment |url=http://www.nazrul.org/nazrul_life/illness.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150529083323/http://www.nazrul.org/nazrul_life/illness.htm |archive-date=29 May 2015 |access-date=26 March 2016 |website=nazrul.org }}</ref> a rare incurable ]. It caused Nazrul Islam's health to decline steadily and forced him to live in isolation. He was also admitted in ] (]) psychiatric hospital for many years.
Nazrul's writings explore themes such as love, freedom, and revolution; he opposed all bigotry, including religious and gender. His impassioned patriotic stance (during ]) often earned him prison time. He wrote short stories, novels, and essays but is best-known for his poems, in which he pioneered new forms such as Bengali ]s. Nazrul wrote and composed music for his nearly 3000 songs which are collectively known as ] (Nazrul songs) and widely popular today. At the age of 43 (in 1942) he began showing the signs of an unknown disease, losing his voice and memory. Suffering from ],<ref name="ILL">{{cite web
The ailing ]n poet was taken to ] with the consent of the ] on 24 May 1972, at the invitation of the ].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://en.banglapedia.org/index.php/Islam,_Kazi_Nazrul | title=Islam, Kazi Nazrul - Banglapedia }}</ref> His family accompanied him and relocated to ]. Later, on 18 February 1976, the citizenship of ] was conferred upon him.<ref>{{cite book |last=Talukdar |first=Rezaul |author-link= |date=1994 |title=Nazrul, The Gift of The Century |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=v49jAAAAMAAJ&q=121 |location= |publisher=Manan |page=121 |isbn=978-9848156001 |quote= On February 18, 1976 Nazrul was awarded the citizenship of Bangladesh.}}</ref> He died on 29 August 1976.<ref name=":4" />
| last = Farooq
| first = Dr. Mohammad Omar
| date = ]
| url = http://www.nazrul.org/nazrul_life/illness.htm
| title = Nazrul's Illness and Treatment
| publisher = Nazrul.org (March 2007)
| format = HTML
| accessdate = 2007-03-10
}}</ref> as later diagnosed by Dr. Hans Hoff in Austria (Vienna), Nazrul gradually yielded to incurable mental illness, which forced him to live in isolation for many years. Invited by the ], Nazrul and his family moved to ] in 1972, where he died four years later.


== Early life ==
Nazrul Islam was born on Wednesday 24 May 1899<ref name="instibio">{{Cite web |title=Kazi Nazrul Islam: A Chronology of life |url=http://www.nazrulinstitute.org.bd/bio_graphy_e.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080424053441/http://www.nazrulinstitute.org.bd/bio_graphy_e.html |archive-date=24 April 2008 |access-date=28 April 2008 |publisher=Nazrul Institute, Ministry of Cultural Affairs, Government of Bangladesh}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Tripura celebrates 116th birth anniversary of Kazi Nazrul Islam |url=http://aninews.in/newsdetail2/story218001/tripura-celebrates-116th-birth-anniversary-of-kazi-nazrul-islam.html |work=ANI News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303154148/http://aninews.in/newsdetail2/story218001/tripura-celebrates-116th-birth-anniversary-of-kazi-nazrul-islam.html |archive-date=3 March 2016 |access-date=27 February 2016}}</ref> in the village of ], ], ] of the ] (now in ]). He was born into the ] ] family of Churulia and was the second of three sons and a daughter.<ref>{{Cite web |date=6 August 2018 |title=Kazi Nazrul Islam Biography – Childhood, Life History, Achievements & Death |url=https://learn.culturalindia.net/kazi-nazrul-islam.html |access-date=10 June 2023 |website=Cultural India |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Khan |first=Mohammad Mojlum |title=KAZI NAZRUL ISLAM}}</ref> Nazrul Islam's father Kazi Faqeer Ahmed was the ] and caretaker of the local Pirpukur mosque and mausoleum of Haji Pahlawan.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Faber |first1=Roland |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kb2aCwAAQBAJ |title=Living Traditions and Universal Conviviality: Prospects and Challenges for Peace in Multireligious Communities |last2=Slabodsky |first2=Santiago |date=15 March 2016 |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield |isbn=978-1-4985-1336-4 |page=16 |language=en}}</ref> Nazrul Islam's mother was Zahida Khatun; he had two brothers, Kazi Saahibjaan and Kazi Ali Hussain, and a sister, Umme Kulsum. He was nicknamed ''Dukhu Miañ'' (দুখু মিঞা) literally, 'the one with grief'). Nazrul Islam studied at a ] and ], run by a mosque and a ] respectively, where he studied the ], ], ], and theology. Following his father's death in 1908, the then 10 year old Nazrul Islam took his father's place as a caretaker of the mosque to support his family. He also assisted teachers in the school. He later worked as the ] at the mosque.<ref name="Banglapedia">{{Cite book |last=Rafiqul Islam |title=Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh |publisher=] |year=2012 |isbn=978-984-32-0576-6 |editor-last=Sirajul Islam |editor-first= |editor-link=Sirajul Islam |edition=Second |chapter=Kazi Nazrul Islam |access-date=26 March 2016 |editor-last2=Jamal |editor-first2=Ahmed A. |chapter-url=http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Islam,_Kazi_Nazrul}}</ref><ref name="MOF2">{{Cite web |last=Chaudhuri |first=Dilip |date=22 September 2006 |title=Nazrul Islam: The unparalleled lyricist and composer of Bengal |url=http://pib.nic.in/feature/fe0899/f1608991.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021105092034/http://pib.nic.in/feature/fe0899/f1608991.html |archive-date=5 November 2002 |access-date=22 September 2006 |publisher=Press Information Bureau, ] }} {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180628183857/http://nazrul.com.bd/nazrul/works_on_nazrul/articles/chaudhuri_lyricist.htm |date=28 June 2018 }}</ref>


Attracted to folk theatre, Nazrul Islam joined a ''leto'' (travelling theatrical group) run by his uncle Fazle Karim. He worked and travelled with them, learning to act, as well as writing songs and poems for the plays and musicals.<ref name=instibio /> Through his work and experiences, Nazrul Islam began studying Bengali and ], as well as Hindu scriptures such as the ]. Nazrul Islam composed folk plays for the group, which included ''Chāshār Shōng'' ('the drama of a peasant'), and plays about characters from the ] including ''Shokunībōdh'' ('the Killing of '']i''), Rājā Judhisthirer Shōng ('the drama of King ]), ''Dātā Kōrno'' ('the philanthropic '']'), Ākbōr Bādshāh'' ('] the emperor'), ''Kobi Kālidās'' ('poet ]'), ''Bidyan Hutum'' ('the learned owl'), and ''Rājputrer Shōng'' ('the prince's sorrow').<ref name="Banglapedia" />
==Early life==
]
Kazi Nazrul Islam was born in the village of ] in the ] of ] (now located in the Indian state of ]).<ref name="MOF">{{cite web
| last = Farooq
| first = Dr. Mohammad Omar
| date = ]
| url = http://www.nazrul.org/works_on_nazrul/articles/farooq_legacy.htm
| title = Nazrul: An Enduring Voice, A Neglected Legacy
| publisher = Alochana Magazine (May 2003)
| format = HTML
| accessdate = 2006-09-22
}}</ref> Second of three sons and a daughter, Nazrul's father, Kazi Fakir Ahmed was the ] and caretaker of the local mosque and mausoleum. Nazrul's mother was Zaheda Khatun. Nazrul had two brothers, Kazi Shahebjan and Kazi Ali Hussain, and a sister, Umme Kulsum. Nicknamed ''Dukhu Mia'' ("Sad Man"), Nazrul began attending the ''maktab'' &mdash; the local religious school run by the mosque &mdash; where he studied the ] and other scripture, Islamic philosophy and theology. His family was devastated with the death of his father in 1908. At the young age of ten, Nazrul began working in his father's place as a caretaker to support his family, as well as assisting teachers in school. He later became the ] at the mosque, leading the community prayers.<ref name="Banglapedia">{{cite web
| last =
| first = Banglapedia
| date = ]
| url = http://banglapedia.search.com.bd/HT/I_0109.htm
| title = Kazi Nazrul Islam
| format = HTML
| accessdate = 2006-07-08
}}</ref><ref name="MOF2">{{cite web
| last = Chaudhuri
| first = Dilip
| date = ]
| url = http://pib.nic.in/feature/fe0899/f1608991.html
| title = Nazrul Islam: The unparalleled lyricist and composer of Bengal
| publisher = Press Information Bureau, ]
| format = HTML
| accessdate = 2006-09-22
}}</ref>


In 1910, Nazrul Islam left the troupe and enrolled at the ] in ]. In school, he was influenced by his teacher, a ] activist, Nibaran Chandra Ghatak, and began a lifelong friendship with fellow author Sailajananda Mukhopadhyay, who was his classmate. He later transferred to the Mathrun High English School, studying under the headmaster and poet ]. Unable to continue paying his school fees, Nazrul Islam left the school and joined a group of ]. Later he took jobs as a cook at Wahid Confectionery, a well-known bakery of the region, and at a tea stall in the town of Asansol. In 1914, Nazrul Islam studied in the Darirampur School (now Govt. Nazrul Academy) in ], ]. Amongst other subjects, Nazrul Islam studied Bengali, ], Arabic, ] and ] under teachers who were impressed by his dedication and skill.<ref name="Banglapedia" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=25 May 2018 |title=Nazrul's birth anniv today |url=http://www.newagebd.net/article/42030/nazruls-birth-anniv-today |access-date=28 June 2018 |work=New Age}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=25 May 2018 |title=Nazrul's 119th birth anniversary today |work=Prothom Alo |url=http://en.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/news/176241/Nazrul%E2%80%99s-119th-birth-anniversary-today |access-date=28 June 2018}}</ref>
Attracted to folk theatre, Nazrul joined a ''leto'' (travelling theatrical group) run by his uncle Bazle Karim. Working and travelling with them, learning ], as well as writing songs and poems for the plays and musicals.<ref name="MOF"/> Through his work and experiences, Nazrul began learning Bengali and ], as well as Hindu scriptures such as the ]. The young poet composed a number of folk plays for his group, which included ''Chasar San'', ''Shakunibadh'', ''Raja Yudhisthirer San'', ''Data Karna'', ''Akbar Badshah'', ''Kavi Kalidas'', ''Vidyabhutum'', ''Rajputrer San'', ''Buda Saliker Ghade Ron'' and ''Meghnad Badh''.<ref name="Banglapedia"/>


Nazrul Islam studied up to grade{{nbsp}}10 but did not appear for the ] pre-test examination; instead in 1917, he joined the ] at the age of eighteen. He had two primary motivations for joining the British Indian Army: first, a youthful desire for adventure and, second, an interest in the politics of the time.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Bose |first=Buddhadeva |title=Nazrul: An Evaluation |date=2000 |publisher=Nazrul Institute |isbn=978-984-555-167-0 |editor-last=Mohammad Nurul Huda |location=Dhaka |page=80 |chapter=Modern Bengali Poetry and Nazrul Islam |author-link=Buddhadeb Bosu |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MtpVAAAACAAJ}}</ref> Attached to the 49th ], he was posted to the ], where he wrote his first prose and poetry. Although he never saw active fighting, he rose in rank from corporal to ] (sergeant), and served as ] for his ].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Zaman |first=Niaz |date=17 December 2014 |title=Impact on Nazrul |url=http://www.thedailystar.net/impact-on-nazrul-55852 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170417123412/https://www.thedailystar.net/impact-on-nazrul-55852 |archive-date=17 April 2017 |access-date=12 July 2016 |work=The Daily Star}}</ref>
In 1910, Nazrul left the troupe and enrolled at the Raniganj Searsole Raj School, and later transferred to the Mathrun High English School, studying under the headmaster and poet ]. Unable to continue paying his school fees, Nazrul left the school and joined a group of “kaviyals”. Later he took a jobs as a cook at the house of a ] railway guard and at a bakery and tea stall in the town of Asansol. In 1914, Nazrul joined the Darirampur School (now Nazrul University) in ], ]. Amongst other subjects, Nazrul studied Bengali, Sanskrit, ], ] and ] under teachers who were impressed by his dedication and skill.<ref name="Banglapedia"/>


During this period, Nazrul Islam read extensively the works of ] and ], as well as the Persian poets ], ], and ].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rahman |first=Aziz |date=27 August 2015 |title=Nazrul: The rebel and the romantic |work=Daily Sun |url=http://www.daily-sun.com/printversion/details/70741/Nazrul:-The-rebel-and-the-romantic |url-status=dead |access-date=12 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170417122146/http://www.daily-sun.com/printversion/details/70741/Nazrul:-The-rebel-and-the-romantic |archive-date=17 April 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Shafiqul Islam |first=Mohammad |date=25 May 2007 |title=Nazrul: An ardent lover of humanity |url=http://archive.thedailystar.net/2007/05/25/d70525140299.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180204123949/http://archive.thedailystar.net/2007/05/25/d70525140299.htm |archive-date=4 February 2018 |access-date=12 July 2016 |work=The Daily Star}}</ref> He learned Persian poetry from the regiment's ] ], practiced music, and pursued his literary interests. His first prose work, ''"Life of a Vagabond"'' (''{{'}}Baunduler Atmakahini''), was published in May 1919. His poem "Mukti" ("মুক্তি", 'Freedom') was published by the '']'' (''Bangiya Mussalman Sahitya Samiti'') in July 1919.<ref name="Banglapedia" />
Studying up to Class X, Nazrul did not to appear for the ] pre-test examination, enlisting instead in the Indian Army in 1917. Some historians have conjectured that Nazrul's may have wished to obtain military training with the aim of using it later for pursuing Indian independence.<ref name="MOF"/>
Attached to the 49th ], he was posted to the ] in ], where he wrote his first prose and poetry. Although he never saw active fighting, he rose in rank to from corporal to ''havildar'', and served as ] for his ].<ref name="Banglapedia"/>
During this period, Nazrul read extensively, and was deeply influenced by ] and ], as well as the Persian poet ], ] and ]. He learnt Persian poetry from the regiment's ] ], practised music and pursued his literary interests. His first prose work, "Baunduler Atmakahini" ("Life of a Vagabond") was published in May, 1919.<ref name="MOF"/> His poem "Mukti" ("Freedom") was published by the "Bangla Mussalman Sahitya Patrika" ("Bengali Muslim Literary Journal") in July 1919.<ref name="Banglapedia"/>


==Rebel poet== == Career ==
{{Quote box
]
| title = Bidrohi (The Rebel)
Nazrul left the army in 1920 and settled in Kolkata, which was then the ''Cultural capital of India'' (it had ceased to be the political capital in ]). He joined the staff of the “Bangiya Mussalman Sahitya Samiti” ("Bengali Muslim Literary Society") and roomed at 32 ] with colleagues. He published his first novel ''Bandhan-hara'' (''Freedom from bondage'') in 1920, which he kept working on over the next 7 years.<ref name="Bandhan"> {{cite web
| quote = <poem>I am the unutterable grief,
| last = Das
I am the trembling first touch of the virgin,
| first = Subrata Kumar
I am the throbbing tenderness of her first stolen kiss.
| date = ]
I am the fleeting glance of the veiled beloved,
| url = http://banglapedia.search.com.bd/HT/I_0109.htm
I am her constant surreptitious gaze...
| title = Bandhanhara: Nazrul’s Novelistic Exposition (PLS FIX THIS URL!)
| format = HTML
| accessdate = 2006-09-22
}}</ref> His first collection of poems included "Bodhan”, "Shat-il-Arab", "Kheya-parer Tarani" and "Badal Prater Sharab". Both works received critical acclaim, giving the young poet his first taste of fame.<ref name="Banglapedia"/>


I am the burning volcano in the bosom of the earth,
Working at the literary society, Nazrul grew close to a rising generation of Muslim writers including Mohammad Mozammel Haq, Afzalul Haq, Kazi Abdul Wadud and ]. He was a regular at clubs for Calcutta's writers, poets and intellectuals like the Gajendar Adda and the Bharatiya Adda. In October 1921, Nazrul went to ] with Muhammad Shahidullah and met Rabindranath Tagore. Despite many differences, Nazrul looked to Tagore as a mentor and the two remained in close association.<ref name="Banglapedia"/> In 1921, Nazrul was engaged to be married to Nargis, the niece of a well-known Muslim publisher Ali Akbar Khan, in Daulatpur, ]. But on ], ] &mdash; the day of the wedding &mdash; upon public insistence by Ali Akbar Khan that the term - Nazrul must reside in Daulatpur after marriage - to be included in the marriage contract, Nazrul walked away from the ceremony. <ref name="WED">{{cite web
I am the wildfire of the woods,
| last = Farooq
I am Hell's mad terrific sea of wrath!
| first = Dr. Mohammad Omar
I ride on the wings of lightning with joy and profundity,
| date = ]
I scatter misery and fear all around,
| url = http://www.nazrul.org/nazrul_life/marriage_story.htm
I bring earthquakes on this world! <small>"(8th stanza)"</small>
| title = Nazrul and Nargis: The Marriage Story
| publisher = Nazrul.org (March 2007)
| format = HTML
| accessdate = 2007-03-10
}}</ref>


I am the rebel eternal,
Nazrul catapulted to fame with the publication of "Bidrohi" in 1922, which remains his most famous work. At the time of publication, no other poem since Tagore's "Shonar tori" had met with such spontaneous acclaim and criticism for the radical approach. Set in a heroic meter, this long poem invokes images from ], ] and ].<ref name="Banglapedia"/> Nazrul won admiration of India's literary classes by his description of the rebel whose impact is fierce and ruthless even as its spirit is deep:
I raise my head beyond this world,
High, ever erect and alone!</poem>
| source = {{snds}}Translation by Kabir Choudhary<ref name="Bidrohi">{{Cite web |last=Kabir |first=Choudhary |title=Rebel |url=https://www.nazrul.org/nazrul_works/poems_lyrics/kabir_rebel.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071026083724/http://www.nazrul.org/nazrul_works/poems_lyrics/kabir_rebel.htm |archive-date=26 October 2007 |access-date=8 July 2006 }}</ref>
| align = left
| qalign =
| salign = right
}}
]]]
Kazi Nazrul Islam joined the army in late 1917. Nazrul Islam left the British Indian army in 1920, when the 49th Bengal Regiment was disbanded,<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |date=27 August 2015 |title=Nazrul's death anniversary today |url=http://www.thedailystar.net/backpage/nazruls-death-anniversary-today-133309 |access-date=5 March 2016 |work=The Daily Star}}</ref> and settled in ]. He joined the staff of the '']'' ("Bengali Muslim Literary Society").<ref>{{Citation |last=Khondkar Sirajul Haque |title=Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh |year=2012 |editor-last=Sirajul Islam and Ahmed A. Jamal |chapter=Bangiya Mussalman Sahitya Patrika |chapter-url=http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Bangiya_Mussalman_Sahitya_Patrika |edition=Second |publisher=]}}</ref> He published his first novel ''Bandhan-hara'' (''বাঁধন-হারা'', 'Freedom from Bondage') in 1920, on which he continued to work over the next seven years.<ref name="Banglapedia" /> His first collection of poems, which included "''Bodhan''", "''Shat-il-Arab''", "''Kheya-parer'' ''Tarani''", and "''Badal Prater Sharab''", received critical acclaim.<ref name="Banglapedia" />


Nazrul Islam grew close to other young Muslim writers, while working at the Bengali Muslim Literary Society, including ], ], and ]. Nazrul Islam and Muhammad Shahidullah remained close throughout their lives. He was a regular at the social clubs for Calcutta's writers, poets, and intellectuals such as the Gajendar Adda and the Bharatiya Adda. Nazrul did not have the formal education of Rabindranath and as a result his poems did not follow the literary practices established by Rabindranath. Due to this he faced criticism from followers of Rabindranath.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Nag |first=Sajal |year=2008 |title=Story of a Rebel Poet |journal=Economic and Political Weekly |type=Book Review |volume=43 |issue=26/27 |pages=84–85 |issn=0012-9976 |jstor=40278906}}</ref> Despite their differences, Nazrul looked to Rabindranath Tagore as a mentor.<ref name="Banglapedia" /> In 1921, Nazrul Islam was engaged to Nargis, the niece of a well-known Muslim publisher, Ali Akbar Khan, in Daulatpur, ].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Nurul Huda |first=Muhammad |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Co9jAAAAMAAJ&q=In+1921,+Nazrul+was+engaged+to+be+married+to+Nargis |title=Nazrul's Aesthetics and Other Aspects |publisher=Nazrul Institute |year=2001 |location=Bangladesh |page=124 |access-date=26 March 2016}}</ref> On 18 June 1921, the day of the wedding, upon public insistence by Khan that the term "Nazrul must reside in Daulatpur after marriage" be included in the marriage contract, Nazrul Islam walked away from the wedding ceremony.<ref>{{Cite book |last=] |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.456382 |title=Kazi Nazrul Islam Smritikatha |publisher=National Book Agency |year=1998 |location=Kolkata, India |pages=66–67}}</ref>
{{cquote|I am the unutterable grief, <BR>
] in ], 1920s]]
I am the trembling first touch of the virgin, <BR>
Nazrul Islam reached the peak of his fame in 1922 with '']'' (The Rebel), which remains his most famous work, winning the admiration of India's literary society for his description of a rebel.{{citation needed|date=September 2021}} Published in the ''Bijli'' ''(বিজলী'', "Lightning") magazine, the rebellious language and theme were well received, coinciding with the ]{{snds}}the first mass nationalist campaign of ] against British rule.<ref name="Banglapedia" /> Nazrul Islam explores the different forces at work in a rebel, the destroyer, and the preserver who is able to express rage as well as beauty and sensitivity. He followed up by writing '']'' ('Destructive Euphoria'), and his first anthology of poems, the ''Agni-veena'' ("অগ্নি-বীণা", 'Lyre of Fire') in 1922, which enjoyed commercial and critical success. He also published a volume of short stories, the ''Byathar Dan'' "ব্যথার দান" ('Gift of Sorrow'),<ref>{{Cite book |last=Bose |first=Sugata |url=https://archive.org/details/hundredhorizons00suga |title=A Hundred Horizons: The Indian Ocean in the Age of Global Empire |publisher=Harvard University Press |year=2009 |isbn=978-0-674-02157-0 |pages= |language=en |author-link=Sugata Bose |url-access=registration}}</ref> and ''Yugbani'' ("যুগবাণী"), an anthology of essays.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Talukdar |first1=Rezaul Karim |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=v49jAAAAMAAJ&q=Jugbani+kazi+nazrul+islam |title=Nazrul, the gift of the century |last2=Nazrul Islam |first2=Kazi |date=1994 |publisher=Manan |isbn=9789848156001 |pages=47–48 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Rajesh |first=K. Guru |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=c_dLCgAAQBAJ |title=Sarfarosh: A Naadi Exposition of the Lives of Indian Revolutionaries |publisher=Notion Press |isbn=9789352061730 |language=en |access-date=26 March 2016}}</ref>
I am the throbbing tenderness of her first stolen kiss. <BR>
I am the fleeting glace of the veiled beloved, <BR>
I am her constant surreptitious gaze...}} <BR>
...
{{cquote|I am the burning volcano in the bosom of the earth, <BR>
I am the wild fire of the woods, <BR>
I am Hell's mad terrific sea of wrath! <BR>
I ride on the wings of the lightning with joy and profound, <BR>
I scatter misery and fear all around, <BR>
I bring earth-quakes on this world! }}“(8th stanza)”<BR>


Nazrul Islam started a bi-weekly magazine, ''Dhumketu'' ("ধূমকেতু", 'Comet') on 12 August 1922 that was critical of the British Empire. Earning the moniker of the "rebel poet", Nazrul Islam aroused the suspicion of British Raj authorities.<ref name="instibio" /><ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=Nawaz |first=Ali |date=20 January 2015 |title=Dhumketu |url=http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Dhumketu |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180704005557/http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Dhumketu |archive-date=4 July 2018 |access-date=3 July 2018 |website=Banglapedia |language=en}}</ref> The Police raided the office of ''Dhumketu'' after it published "Anondomoyeer Agomone" ("আনন্দময়ীর আগমনে"), a political poem, in September 1922. Nazrul Islam was arrested on 23 January 1923 and charged with ].<ref name=":5" /> He presented a long argument in the court, an excerpt of what he said:


{{blockquote|quote=I have been accused of sedition... To plead for me, the king of all kings, the judge of all judges, the eternal truth the living God... I am a poet; I have been sent by God to express the unexpressed, to portray the unportrayed. It is God who is heard through the voice of the poet... I am an instrument of God. The instrument is not unbreakable, but who is there to break God?<ref name="sedition">{{Cite news |last=Choudhury |first=Serajul Islam |date=1 June 2006 |title=The Blazing Comet |url=http://www.newagebd.com/2006/may/26/may26/xtra_also1.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100719063851/http://www.newagebd.com/2006/may/26/may26/xtra_also1.html |archive-date=19 July 2010 |access-date=22 September 2006 |quote=Nazrul Islam did what no other Muslim poet in modern Bengal had dared to do. He created images and symbols out of the well-known heroes from Muslim history. Thus Tariq and Qasim, Ali and Omar, Hasan and Hussain and even the Prophet himself figure in his poetry as historical beings. He also transformed men like Kamal Pasha and Anwar Pasha into symbols. The method is somewhat similar to the one Yeats employed in his poetry. |newspaper=New Age}}</ref>|sign=|source=}}
{{cquote|I am the rebel eternal, <BR>
I raise my head beyond this world, <BR>
High, ever erect and alone!}} “(Last stanza)” <BR><ref name="QUOTE">{{cite web
| last = Kabir
| first = Choudhary
| date = ]
| url = http://www.nazrul.com/
| title = Rebel
| format = HTML
| accessdate = 2006-07-08
}}</ref> (''English translation by Kabir Choudhary'') </blockquote>


], in the stage drama ''Dhruba.''|294x294px|alt=]]
Published in the "Bijli" magazine, the poem caused a popular sensation. Nazrul stormed into Tagore's residence, jokingly declaring "Gurudev, I have come to kill you off." The rebellious language and theme found resonance with public consciousness of the time, which correlated with the ] &mdash; the first, mass nationalist campaign of ] against British rule.<ref name="Banglapedia"/>
<ref name="heretic">{{cite web
| last = McDaniel
| first = June
| date = ]
| url = http://www.nazrul.org/
| title = Kazi Nazrul Islam:
A Voice for Progressive Islam
| format = HTML
| accessdate = 2006-09-21
}}</ref> Nazrul explores a synthesis of different forces in a rebel, destroyer and preserver, expressing rage as well as beauty and sensitivity. Nazrul followed up by writing "Pralayollas" ("Destructive Euphoria"), and his first anthology of poems, the "Agniveena" ("Lyre of Fire") in 1922, which enjoyed astounding and far-reaching successs. He also published his first volume of short stories, the "Byather Dan" ("Gift of Sorrow") and "Yugbani”, an anthology of essays.


On 14 April 1923, he was moved from ] to ] in ]. He began a 40-day fast to protest mistreatment by the British jail superintendent, breaking his fast more than a month later and eventually being released from prison in December 1923. Nazrul Islam composed numerous poems and songs during his period of imprisonment. In the 1920s, the British Indian government banned many of his writings.<ref name="Banglapedia" /> ] dedicated his play "Basanta" to Nazrul Islam in 1923. Nazrul Islam wrote the poem "Aj Srishti Shukher Ullashe" to thank Tagore.<ref>{{Cite news |date=25 May 2015 |title=Kazi Nazrul Islam |url=http://www.thedailystar.net/arts-entertainment/its-true/kazi-nazrul-islam-86731 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170530212014/https://www.thedailystar.net/arts-entertainment/its-true/kazi-nazrul-islam-86731 |archive-date=30 May 2017 |access-date=27 February 2016 |work=The Daily Star}}</ref> His book ''Bisher Banshi'' ('The Flute of Poison'), published in August 1924,<ref>{{Cite book |last=(Bangladesh) |first=Bāṃlā Ekāḍemī |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=33xjAAAAMAAJ&q=Bisher+Banshi |title=Bangla Academy Journal |date=1995 |publisher=Bangla Academy. |pages=41 |language=en}}</ref> was banned by the ].<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |last=Chandan |first=Shahnawaz |date=30 August 2013 |title=The Life of a Rebel |work=The Daily Star |url=http://www.thedailystar.net/news/the-life-of-a-rebel |url-status=live |access-date=27 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171203200301/http://www.thedailystar.net/news/the-life-of-a-rebel |archive-date=3 December 2017 }}</ref> ''Bisher Banshi'' called for rebellion in India against the British Raj.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Chaman |year=1977 |title=The Voice of Nazr-ul-Islam |journal=Indian Literature |volume=20 |issue=4 |pages=109–118 |issn=0019-5804 |jstor=24158699}}</ref> ''Bisher Banshi'' was read and distributed in secret following the ban.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Sen |first=Manikuntala |title=In search of freedom: an unfinished journey |publisher=Stree |year=2001 |isbn=978-81-85604-25-1 |page=17 |language=en |quote="Learning by heart the poems of his ''Agnibina'' and ''Bisher Banshi'', we hid the books in our breasts and passed them secretly to friends. As far as I remember, ''Bisher Banshi'' was banned." |author-link=Manikuntala Sen}}</ref>
==Revolutionary==
]
]
Nazrul Islam was a critic of the ] in British India which he condemned as "hollow ]".<ref name="Banglapedia" /> His rebellious expression extended to rigid orthodoxy in the name of religion and politics.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Rushd |first=Abu |title=Nazrul: An Evaluation |date=2000 |publisher=Nazrul Institute |isbn=978-984-555-167-0 |editor-last=Mohammad Nurul Huda |location=Dhaka |page=100 |chapter=Nazrul Islam's 'The Rebel' |author-link=Abu Rushd |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MtpVAAAACAAJ}}</ref> He also criticised the ] for not embracing outright political independence from the ]. Nazrul became active in encouraging people to agitate against British rule, and joined the Bengal state unit of the Indian National Congress.<ref name="Banglapedia" /> Along with ], Nazrul also helped organise the ] (Workers and Peasants Party), a socialist political party committed to national independence and the service of the working class. On 16 December 1925, Nazrul began publishing the ''Langal'' ('Plough'), a weekly, and served as its chief editor.<ref name="Banglapedia" />
Nazrul started a bi-weekly magazine, publishing the first "Dhumketu" on ], ]. Earning the moniker of the "rebel poet”, Nazrul also aroused the suspicion of British authorities.<ref name="heretic"/> A political poem published in "Dhumketu" in September 1922 led to a police raid on the magazine's office. Arrested, Nazrul entered a lengthy plea before the judge in the court.


During his visit to ] in 1921, Nazrul Islam met a young Bengali Hindu woman, Pramila Devi, with whom he fell in love, and they married on 25 April 1924. ] criticised Pramila, a member of the Brahmo Samaj, for marrying a Muslim. Muslim religious leaders criticised Nazrul Islam for his marriage to a Hindu woman. He also was criticised for his writings. Despite controversy, Nazrul Islam's popularity and reputation as the "rebel poet" increased significantly.<ref name="Banglapedia" /><ref>{{Cite book |last=Chowdhury |first=Serajul Islam |title=Nazrul: An Evaluation |date=2000 |publisher=Nazrul Institute |isbn=978-984-555-167-0 |editor-last=Mohammad Nurul Huda |location=Dhaka |page=141 |chapter=The Blazing Comet |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MtpVAAAACAAJ}}</ref>
{{cquote|I have been accused of sedition. That is why I am now confined in the prison. On the one side is the crown, on the other the flames of the comet One is the king, sceptre in hand; the other Truth worth the mace of justice. To plead for me, the king of all kings, the judge of all judges, the eternal truth the living God... His laws emerged out of the realisation of a universal truth about mankind. They are for and by a sovereign God. The king is supported by an infinitesimal creature; I by its eternal and indivisible Creator. I am a poet; I have been sent by God to express the unexpressed, to portray the unportrayed. It is God who is heard through the voice of the poet... My voice is but a medium for Truth, the message of God... I am the instrument of that eternal self-evident truth, an instrument that voices forth the message of the ever-true. I am an instrument of God. The instrument is not unbreakable, but who is there to break God?}}<ref name="sedition">{{cite web
| last = Choudhury
| first = Serajul Islam
| date = ]
| url = http://www.newagebd.com/2006/may/26/may26/xtra_also1.html
| title = The Blazing Comet
| format = HTML
| accessdate = 2006-09-22
}}</ref></blockquote>


With his wife and young son Bulbul, Nazrul Islam settled at ] in ] in 1926. His work began to transform as he wrote poetry and songs that articulated the aspirations of the working class, a sphere of his work known as "mass music".<ref>{{Cite book |last=Rafiqul Islam |title=Nazrul: An Evaluation |date=2000 |publisher=Nazrul Institute |isbn=978-984-555-167-0 |editor-last=Mohammad Nurul Huda |location=Dhaka |page=113 |chapter=Nazrul |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MtpVAAAACAAJ}}</ref>
On ], ] he was transferred from the jail in ] to ] in Kolkata, he began a 40-day fast to protest mistreatment by the British jail superintendent. Nazrul broke his fast more than a month later and was eventually released from prison in December 1923. Nazrul composed a large number of poems and songs during the period of imprisonment and many his works were banned in the 1920s by the British authorities.
<ref name="Banglapedia"/>


{{Quote box
Kazi Nazrul Islam became a critic of the ], condemning it as hollow, religious fundamentalism even as thousands of Muslims agitated for it.<ref name="Banglapedia"/> Nazrul's rebellious expression extended to rigid orthodoxy in the name of Islam. While explicitly avowing his affinity to Islam, and calling for upholding Islam for its universalistic essence, values and spirit, he believed that medieval Islamic practices and religious conservatism were hurting Indian Muslims as well as the Muslim world, and keeping them backward, intensifying social and sectarian challenges.<ref name="ISLAM">{{cite web
| title = Daridro (Poverty)
| last = Farooq
| quote = <poem>O poverty, thou hast made me great
| first = Dr. Mohammad Omar
Thou hast made me honoured like Christ
| date = ]
With his crown of thorns. Thou hast given me
| url = http://www.nazrul.org/works_on_nazrul/articles/farooq_rebel.htm
Courage to reveal all. To thee I owe
| title = Toward Understanding Nazrul: The Rebel and More
My insolent, naked eyes and sharp tongue.
| publisher = Nazrul.org (December 1999)
Thy curse has turned my violin to a sword...
| format = HTML
O proud saint, thy terrible fire
| accessdate = 2007-03-10
Has rendered my heaven barren.
}}</ref> <ref name="DailyStar">{{cite web
O my child, my darling one
| last = Shahabuddin Ahmed
I could not give thee even a drop of milk
| first = Daily Star (May 25, 1999)
No right have I to rejoice.
| date = ]
Poverty weeps within my doors forever
| url = http://www.nazrul.org/
As my spouse and my child.
| title = Kazi Nazrul Islam
Who will play the flute?</poem>
| format = HTML
| source = {{snds}}Translated by Kabir Chowdhury<ref name="WB">{{Cite web |translator-last=Chowdhury |translator-first=Kabir |date=8 July 2006 |title=Poverty |url=http://www1.worldbank.org/prem/poverty/povlit/povlit2p29.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070610003225/http://www1.worldbank.org/prem/poverty/povlit/povlit2p29.htm |archive-date=10 June 2007 |access-date=8 July 2006}}</ref>
| accessdate = 2006-07-10
| align = left
}}</ref> Nazrul also criticised the ] for not embracing outright political independence from the ]. Nevertheless, he became active in encouraging people to agitate against British rule, and joined the Bengal state unit of the Congress.<ref name="Banglapedia"/> Nazrul also helped organise the ], a political party committed to national independence and the service of the peasant masses. On ], ] Nazrul started publishing the weekly "Langal”, with himself as chief editor.<ref name="Banglapedia"/> The "Langal" was the mouthpiece of the Sramik Praja Swaraj Dal.
| salign = right
}}In what his contemporaries regarded as one of his greatest flairs of creativity, Nazrul Islam vastly contributed in profusely enriching ]s in Bengali, transforming a form of poetry written mainly in ] and ].<ref name="MOF2" /> Nazrul Islam's recording of Islamic songs was a commercial success and created interest in gramophone companies about publishing his works. A significant impact of Nazrul Islam's work in Bengal was that it made Bengali Muslims more comfortable with the Bengali arts, which used to be dominated by Bengali Hindus.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Khan |first=Zillur R. |year=1985 |title=Islam and Bengali Nationalism |journal=Asian Survey |volume=25 |issue=8 |pages=834–851 |doi=10.2307/2644113 |issn=0004-4687 |jstor=2644113}}</ref> His Islamic songs are popular during Ramadan in Bangladesh. He also wrote devotional songs on the Hindu Goddess ].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kamal |first=Nashid |date=11 July 2015 |title=Nazrul Islam's Islamic songs |work=The Daily Star |url=http://www.thedailystar.net/showbiz/lifes-lyrics/nazrul-islams-islamic-songs-110560 |access-date=23 July 2015}}</ref> Nazrul Islam also composed a number of notable ''Shyamasangeet'', '']'' and '']'', combining Hindu devotional music.<ref name=":6">{{Cite book |last=Rafiqul Islam |title=Nazrul: An Evaluation |date=2000 |publisher=Nazrul Institute |isbn=978-984-555-167-0 |editor-last=Mohammad Nurul Huda |location=Dhaka |page=115 |chapter=Nazrul |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MtpVAAAACAAJ}}</ref> In 1928, Nazrul Islam began working as a lyricist, composer, and music director for the ].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hossen |first=Iftikhar |date=25 May 2018 |title=Spreading the passion and enthusiasm of Kazi Nazrul Islam |work=The Daily Observer |url=http://www.observerbd.com/details.php?id=139463 |access-date=3 July 2018}}</ref> The songs written and music composed by him were broadcast on radio stations across India, including on the ].<ref name="Banglapedia" /><ref>{{Cite book |last=Field |first=Garrett |url=https://archive.org/details/dli.doa.211 |title=Modernizing Composition: Sinhala Song, Poetry, and Politics in Twentieth-Century Sri Lanka |date=22 March 2017 |publisher=Univ of California Press |isbn=9780520294714 |pages= |language=en |quote=kazi nazrul islam radio.}}</ref>{{Quote box
| title = Naari (Woman)
| quote = <poem>I don't see any difference
Between a man and woman
Whatever great or benevolent achievements
That are in this world
Half of that was by woman,
The other half by man.</poem>
| source = {{snds}}Translation by Sajed Kamal<ref name="SK">The Daily Star. 24 May 2003</ref>
| qalign =
| salign = right
}}


Nazrul Islam believed in the equality of women, a view his contemporaries considered revolutionary, as expressed in his poem Naari (women).<ref name="Amin 1996 106">{{Cite book |last=Amin |first=Sonia Nishat |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VcAfpv6x0m4C |title=The World of Muslim Women in Colonial Bengal, 1876–1939 |publisher=BRILL |year=1996 |isbn=978-90-04-10642-0 |page=106}}</ref> Nazrul Islam's poems strongly emphasised the confluence of the roles of both sexes and their equal importance to life. His poem "Barangana" (Prostitute) stunned society with its depiction of prostitutes who he addresses in the poem as "mother".<ref name="Huda 314">{{Cite book |last=Huda |first=Mohammad Nurul |title=Nazrul: An Evaluation |date=2000 |publisher=Nazrul Institute |isbn=978-984-555-167-0 |editor-last=Mohammad Nurul Huda |location=Dhaka |page=314 |chapter=Nazrul's Personlore |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MtpVAAAACAAJ}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ahsanuzzaman |first=Ahmed |title=No Nora's in Popular Bangla Literature |url=http://www.ibsensociety.liu.edu/conferencepapers/nonoras.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303170341/http://www.ibsensociety.liu.edu/conferencepapers/nonoras.pdf |archive-date=3 March 2016 |access-date=8 July 2006 |website=IB Sen society}}</ref>
It was during his visit to Comilla in 1921, that Nazrul met a young Hindu woman, Pramila Devi. The two maintained regular correspondence. Falling in love, they married on ], ]. Pramila belonged to the ], which criticised her marriage to a Muslim. Nazrul in turn was condemned by Muslim religious leaders and continued to face criticism for his personal life and professional works. As a result, Nazrul's works began intensely attacking social and religious dogma and intolerance. His poems also spoke in philosophical terms of romantic love, and the complete equality of men and women, and attacking the social and religious traditions of the time that ruled otherwise.<ref name="NAZRUL">{{cite web
In the poem, Nazrul Islam accepts the prostitute as a human being first, reasoning that this person belonged to the "race of mothers and sisters"; he criticises society's negative views on prostitutes.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Nazrul Islam |first=Kazi |title=The Rebel and Other Poems |date=2000 |publisher=Sahitya Akademi |isbn=978-81-260-0607-6 |location=New Delhi |pages=52–54 |translator-last=Chakravarthy |translator-first=Basudha |chapter=Barangana |trans-chapter=The Courtesan |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FgTldf7BDioC&pg=PA52}}</ref>
| author = Nazrul.org
| date = ]
| url = http://www.nazrul.org/
| title = K. Nazrul Islam
| format = HTML
| accessdate = 2006-07-08
}}</ref> Nazrul came to identify the spirit of his thoughts and works as inherently rebellious:
{{cquote|Weary of struggles, I, the great rebel,<br>
Shall rest in quiet only when I find<br>
The sky and the air free of the piteous groans of the oppressed.<br>
Only when the battle fields are cleared of jingling bloody sabres <br>
Shall I, weary of struggles, rest in quiet,<br>
I the great rebel.}}<br><ref name="NAZRUL"/>


An advocate of women rights, Nazrul Islam portrayed both traditional and nontraditional women in his work.<ref name="Huda 314" /> He talked about the working poor through his works such as the
=="Mass music"==
poem: 'Poverty' (Daridro).<ref name="Bidrohi" /><ref>{{Cite book |last=Goswami |first=Jay Guru |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IuIJAQAAIAAJ&q=%E0%A6%A6%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%A6%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AF+%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%9C%E0%A7%80+%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%9C%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%B2+%E0%A6%87%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%AE |title=Svabhabakabi Gobindadasera jibani o sahitya bicara |date=1978 |publisher=Sailasri Laibreri |language=bn}}</ref>
]
With his wife and young son Bulbul, Nazrul settled in ] in 1926. His work began to transform as he wrote poetry and songs that articulated the aspirations of the downtrodden masses.<ref name="NAZRUL"/> Nazrul assailed the socio-economic norms and political system that had brought upon misery. The songs of Nazrul giving voice to the aspirations of the masses have come to known as "mass music". His major poems include "Daridro" ("Poverty"):
{{cquote|O poverty, thou hast made me great.<br>
Thou hast made me honoured like ] <br>
With his crown of thorns. Thou hast given me <br>
Courage to reveal all. To thee I owe <br>
My insolent, naked eyes and sharp tongue. <br>
Thy curse has turned my violin to a sword... <br>
O proud saint, thy terrible fire <br>
Has rendered my heaven barren. <br>
O my child, my darling one <br>
I could not give thee even a drop of milk <br>
No right have I to rejoice. <br>
Poverty weeps within my doors forever <br>
As my spouse and my child. <br>
Who will play the flute?}} <br> <ref name="WB">{{cite web
| last =
| first = World Bank
| date = ]
| url = http://www1.worldbank.org/prem/poverty/povlit/povlit2p29.htm
| title = "Poverty"
| format = HTML
| accessdate = 2006-07-08
}}</ref>
]


Nazrul Islam wrote thousands of songs, known collectively as '']''. The exact number is uncertain. The complete text of 2,260 is known, and the first lines of 2,872 have been collected, but according to musicologist ], it is popularly believed that the total is much higher. Goswami has written that some contemporaries put the number near 4,000.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Goswami |first=Karumamaya |title=Aspects of Nazrul Songs |publisher=Nazrul Institute |year=1990 |location=Dhaka |pages=178–179 |oclc=23904256 |author-link=Karunamaya Goswami}}</ref>
In what his contemporaries regarded as one of his greatest flairs of creativity, Nazrul began composing the very first ]s in Bengali, transforming a form of poetry written mainly in Persian and ].<ref name="MOF2">{{cite web
| last = Chaudhuri
| first = Dilip
| date = ]
| url = http://pib.nic.in/feature/fe0899/f1608991.html
| title = Nazrul Islam: The unparalleled lyricist and composer of Bengal
| publisher = Press Information Bureau, ]
| format = HTML
| accessdate = 2006-09-22
}}</ref> While hailed by many as a pioneer and epoch-making poet by progressives, who took inspiration from his works that attacked traditions and dogma on behalf of the masses, he was also derided by many as an irreligious influence on society.<ref name="NAZRUL">{{cite web
| last =
| first = Nazrul.org
| date = ]
| url = http://www.nazrul.org/
| title = K. Nazrul Islam
| format = HTML
| accessdate = 2006-07-08
}}</ref> Arousing controversy and passions in his readers, Nazrul's ideas attained great popularity across India. In 1928, Nazrul began working as a lyricist, composer and music director for ] Gramophone Company. The songs written and music composed by him were broadcast on radio stations across the country. He was also recruited by the Indian Broadcasting Company.<ref name="NAZRUL">{{cite web
| last =
| first = Nazrul.org
| date = ]
| url = http://www.nazrul.org/
| title = K. Nazrul Islam
| format = HTML
| accessdate = 2006-07-08
}}</ref>


== Religious beliefs ==
Nazrul professed faith in the belief in the absolute equality of women &mdash; a view his contemporaries considered revolutionary. In his poem "Naree" ("Women"), Nazrul repudiates what he sees as the long-standing oppression of women, proclaiming their equality:
Nazrul Islam was born a Muslim, but engaged in religious syncretism so often such that he was seen by laymen as only a proud pluralist. Nazrul Islam wrote an editorial in ''Joog Bani'' in 1920 about religious pluralism,{{blockquote|''Come brother Hindu! Come Musalman! Come Buddhist! Come Christian! Let us transcend all barriers, let us forsake forever all smallness, all lies, all selfishness and let us call brothers as brothers. We shall quarrel no more.''|sign=|source=<ref>{{Cite book |last=Moniruzzaman |first=Mohammad |title=Nazrul: An Evaluation |date=2000 |publisher=Nazrul Institute |isbn=978-984-555-167-0 |editor-last=Mohammad Nurul Huda |location=Dhaka |page=149 |chapter=Interaction of Cultures and Kazi Nazrul Islam}}</ref>}}
In another article entitled ''Hindu Mussalman'', published in ''Ganabani'' on 2 September 1922, he wrote that the religious quarrels were between priests and Imams and not between laymen Muslims and Hindus. He wrote that the Prophets had become property like cattle but they should instead be treated like a light that is for all men.<ref name=":7" />


], ] in 1929.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rafiqul Islam |date=24 May 2002 |title=The Champion of a Modern and Peaceful Islam |work=The Daily Star |url=http://www.nazrul.org/works_on_nazrul/articles/rafiqul_islam.htm |url-status=dead |access-date=26 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101126120753/http://www.nazrul.org/works_on_nazrul/articles/rafiqul_islam.htm |archive-date=26 November 2010 |via=nazrul.org}}</ref>|242x242px|alt=]]
{{cquote|Whatever great or benevolent achievements <br>
That are in this world <br>
Half of that was by woman <br>
The other half by man.}} <br>


Nazrul Islam criticised religious fanaticism, denouncing it as evil and inherently irreligious. He wrote about human equality in his writings. He also explored the philosophy of the ] and ] by writing about them. Nazrul Islam has been compared to ] by ], Bengali literary critic and professor emeritus at the ], for being the first Muslim poet to create imagery and symbolism of Muslim historical figures such as ], ], ], ], and ].<ref name="sedition" /> His condemnation of extremism and mistreatment of women provoked condemnation from Muslim and Hindu ] who opposed his ] views on religion.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Khan |first=Salimullah |date=29 August 2015 |title=Reading Nazrul Islam after Walter Benjamin |work=The Daily Star |url=http://www.thedailystar.net/in-focus/reading-nazrul-islam-after-walter-benjamin-134326 |url-status=live |access-date=26 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171022093559/http://www.thedailystar.net/in-focus/reading-nazrul-islam-after-walter-benjamin-134326 |archive-date=22 October 2017 |quote=Nazrul Islam, all the same, faced condemnation and stiff resistance from all quarters, Brits, Hindus and Muslims alike. }}</ref>
However, most of his descriptions of women do not exceed beyond homely roles.<ref name="KNI">{{cite web
| last = Ahsanuzzaman
| first = Ahmed
| date = ]
| url = http://www.ibsensociety.liu.edu/conferencepapers/nonoras.pdf
| title = Byron of Bengali literature
| format = PDF
| accessdate = 2006-07-08
}}</ref> His poetry retains long-standing notions of men and women in binary opposition to one another and does not affirm gender similarities and flexibility in the social structure:


Nazrul Islam's mother died in 1928, and his second son, Bulbul, died of ] the following year. His first son, Krishna Mohammad, had died prematurely. Pramila gave birth to two more sons{{snds}}Sabyasachi in 1928 and Aniruddha in 1931{{snds}}but Nazrul Islam remained grief-stricken and grieved for a long time. His works changed significantly from the rebellious exploration of society to a deeper examination of religious themes. His works in these years led Islamic devotional songs into the mainstream of ], exploring the Islamic practices of '']'' (prayer), '']'' (fasting), '']'' (pilgrimage), and '']'' (charity). He wrote the song "]" on fasting during Ramadan.<ref>{{Cite news |title=10 key events in Kazi Nazrul's life |work=The Daily Star |url=http://www.thedailystar.net/literature/10-key-events-kazi-nazrul%E2%80%99s-life-133459 |access-date=26 February 2016}}</ref> This was regarded by his contemporaries as a significant achievement, as ] had been strongly averse to devotional music.<ref>Kamrunnessa Azad. 2001. Dharmiya Chetonay Nazrul. Nazrul Institute, Dhaka. 1999. pp. 173–174</ref>
{{cquote|Man has brought the burning, scorching heat of the sunny day; <br>
Woman has brought peaceful night, soothing breeze and cloud.<br>
Man comes with desert-thirst; woman provides the drink of honey.<br>
Man ploughs the fertile land; woman sows crops in it turning it green. <br>
Man ploughs, woman waters; that earth and water mixed together, brings about a harvest of golden paddy.}} <br> <ref name="KNI">{{cite web
| last = Ahsanuzzaman
| first = Ahmed
| date = ]
| url = http://www.ibsensociety.liu.edu/conferencepapers/nonoras.pdf
| title = Byron of Bengali literature
| format = PDF
| accessdate = 2006-07-08
}}</ref></blockquote>


Nazrul Islam was not limited to ] but also wrote Hindu devotional music. He composed ], ]s, ], and ].<ref>{{Cite news |title=Nazrul: unique creator of devotional songs |url=https://www.newagebd.net/article/16251/nazrul-unique-creator-of-devotional-songs |access-date=25 May 2020 |work=New Age |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite conference |url=https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/Delivery.cfm/SSRN_ID3079968_code2597468.pdf?abstractid=3079968&mirid=1 |title=Nazrul's Contributions in Equality and Egalitarianism: Twenty First Century Perspective |last1=Nazrul Islam |last2=Shamsul Arefin |first2=Mohammad |date=21 November 2017 |publisher=Uttara University |pages=1–19 |conference=International Conference on Nazrul in Twenty First Century (ICNTFC 2017) |ssrn=3079968}}</ref> Nazrul Islam wrote over 500 Hindu devotional songs.<ref>{{Cite encyclopedia |year=2011 |title=Islam, Kazi Nazrul |encyclopedia=Chambers Biographical Dictionary |publisher=Chambers Harrap |url=https://search.credoreference.com/content/entry/chambbd/islam_kazi_nazrul/0 |access-date=5 March 2016 |editor-last=Roger |editor-first=L. |edition=9th |quote=and wrote more than 500 devotional Hindu songs. |editor2-last=Bakewell |editor2-first=J. |url-access=subscription}}</ref> However, a section of Muslims criticised for writing Shyama Sangeet and declared him ] (infidel). On the other hand, he became displeased with some Hindus for writing devotional songs about Hindu goddesses because he was a Muslim.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://eisamay.indiatimes.com/eisamaygold/culture/muslim-nazrul-islam-shyama-sangeet-banned-on-radio/story/84940339.cms|title=Najrul Islam : মুসলমান বলে নজরুলের শ্যামাসঙ্গীত ব্যান!|language=bn|access-date=2 September 2022|newspaper=]}}</ref> Nazrul Islam's poetry and songs explored the philosophy of Islam and Hinduism.<ref name=":7">{{Cite news |last=Bardhan |first=Protik |date=29 May 2014 |title=Kazi Nazrul Islam: Voice of Bengali Muslims and Secular Nationhood |language=en |work=Prothom Alo |url=http://en.prothomalo.com/opinion/news/48314/Kazi-Nazrul-Islam-Voice-of-Bengali-Muslims-and |url-status=live |access-date=4 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180704093224/http://en.prothomalo.com/opinion/news/48314/Kazi-Nazrul-Islam-Voice-of-Bengali-Muslims-and |archive-date=4 July 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Shafiqul Islam |first=Mohammad |date=29 May 2010 |title=I belong to the world . . . |language=en |work=The Daily Star |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-140431 |url-status=live |access-date=4 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180704100332/https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-140431 |archive-date=4 July 2018}}</ref> Nazrul Islam's poetry imbibed the passion and creativity of ], which is identified as the ], the personification of primordial energy. He also composed many songs of invocation to Lord ] and the goddesses ] and ] and on the love of ] and ].<ref name="MOF2" /> Nazrul Islam was an exponent of ].<ref name="Moniruzzaman 153–54">{{Cite book |last=Moniruzzaman |first=Mohammad |title=Nazrul: An Evaluation |date=2000 |publisher=Nazrul Institute |isbn=978-984-555-167-0 |editor-last=Mohammad Nurul Huda |location=Dhaka |pages=153–54 |chapter=Interaction of Cultures and Kazi Nazrul Islam}}</ref> Although a Muslim, he named his sons with both Hindu and Muslim names: Krishna Mohammad, Arindam Khaled (Bulbul), ] and Kazi Aniruddha.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Huda |first=Mohammad Nurul |title=Nazrul: An Evaluation |date=2000 |publisher=Nazrul Institute |isbn=978-984-555-167-0 |editor-last=Mohammad Nurul Huda |location=Dhaka |pages=306–307 |chapter=Nazrul's Personlore |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MtpVAAAACAAJ}}</ref>
However, Nazrul's poems strongly emphasise the confluence of the roles of both sexes and their equal importance to life. He stunned society with his poem "Barangana" ("Prostitute"), in which he addresses a prostitute as "mother".<ref name="KNI">{{cite web
| last = Ahsanuzzaman
| first = Ahmed
| date = ]
| url = http://www.ibsensociety.liu.edu/conferencepapers/nonoras.pdf
| title = Byron of Bengali literature
| format = PDF
| accessdate = 2006-07-08
}}</ref> Nazrul expresses no hesitation in accepting the prostitute as a human being. Reasoning that this person was breast-fed by a noble woman and belonging to the race of "mothers and sisters", he assails society's notions of prostitutes as impure and ignoble persons.<ref name="KNI">{{cite web
| last = Ahsanuzzaman
| first = Ahmed
| date = ]
| url = http://www.ibsensociety.liu.edu/conferencepapers/nonoras.pdf
| title = Byron of Bengali literature
| format = PDF
| accessdate = 2006-07-08
}}</ref> However, Nazrul's emphasis does not exceed the basic roles of women in society. Nazrul explores a woman's feelings in one of his most popular songs, "Mour Ghumghore Key Elay Monohour" ("Who is the beauty that traverses my dream?"), at her separation from her husband. While vivid in his account of the woman's torment, Nazrul has been criticized in modern times for not exploring the possibility that a woman's life may reach beyond wifely duties. Nazrul elucidates the feelings of an "ideal woman", devoted to her husband and explores the imagination of men in their idealization of a woman.<ref name="KNI">{{cite web
| last = Ahsanuzzaman
| first = Ahmed
| date = ]
| url = http://www.ibsensociety.liu.edu/conferencepapers/nonoras.pdf
| title = Byron of Bengali literature
| format = PDF
| accessdate = 2006-07-08
}}</ref>
Nazrul's songs are commonly called as ], which is still practiced as one of the most popular variety of songs in Bengali, like ] (songs of ]).


== Later life ==
==Exploring religion==
In 1930, his book ''Pralayshikha'' was banned and he faced charges of ] by the British Indian colonial government. He was sent to jail and released in 1931, after the ] was signed.<ref name=":2" /> In 1933, Nazrul Islam published a collection of essays titled "Modern World Literature", in which he analyses different styles and themes of literature. Between 1928 and 1935, he published 10 volumes containing 800 songs, of which more than 600 were based on classical '']''. Almost 100 were folk tunes after '']'', and some 30 were patriotic songs. From the time of his return to Kolkata until he fell ill in 1941, Nazrul Islam composed more than 2,600 songs, many of which have been lost.<ref name="MOF2" /> His songs based on ], ''jhumur'', ] folksongs, jhanpan, or the folk songs of ], ''bhatiali'', and ''bhaoaia'' consist of tunes of folk-songs on the one hand and a refined lyric with poetic beauty on the other. Nazrul Islam also wrote and published poems for children.<ref name="MOF2" />
]
Nazrul's mother died in 1928, and his second son Bulbul died of ] the following year. His first son, Krishna Mohammad had died prematurely. His wife gave birth to two more sons &mdash; Savyasachi in 1928 and Aniruddha in 1931 &mdash; but Nazrul remained shaken and aggrieved for a long time. His works changed significantly from rebellious expositions of society to deeper examination of religious themes. His works in these years led Islamic devotional songs into the mainstream of ], exploring the Islamic practices of '']'' (prayer), '']'' (fasting), '']'' (pilgrimage) and '']'' (charity). This was regarded by his contemporaries as a significant achievement as Bengali Muslims had been strongly averse to devotional music.<ref name="NAZRUL">{{cite web
| last =
| first = Nazrul.org
| date = ]
| url = http://www.nazrul.org/
| title = K. Nazrul Islam
| format = HTML
| accessdate = 2006-07-08
}}</ref> Nazrul's creativity diversified as he explored Hindu devotional music by composing '']s'' and '']s'', often merging Islamic and Hindu values. Nazrul's poetry and songs explored the philosophy of Islam and Hinduism.<ref name="heretic">{{cite web
| last = McDaniel
| first = June
| date = ]
| url = http://www.nazrul.org/
| title = Kazi Nazrul Islam:
A Voice for Progressive Islam
| format = HTML
| accessdate = 2006-09-21
}}</ref>


Nazrul Islam's success soon brought him into Indian theatre and the then-nascent ].<ref name="Banglapedia" /> His first film as a director was '']'',<ref>{{Cite web |last=প্রতিবেদক |first=বিনোদন |date=27 August 2023 |title=নজরুল: ছিলেন অভিনেতা, চলচ্চিত্র পরিচালকও |url=https://www.prothomalo.com/entertainment/song/%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%9C%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%B2-%E0%A6%9B%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%B2%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%A8-%E0%A6%85%E0%A6%AD%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%BE-%E0%A6%9A%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%9A%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%9A%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%9A%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%93 |access-date=19 April 2024 |website=Prothomalo |language=bn}}</ref> which made him the first Muslim director of a Bengali film''.''<ref name=":2" /> The film '']'' (Master of Knowledge) was produced based on his recorded play in 1936, and Nazrul Islam served as the music director for the film '']'' and ''Gora'', (adaptation of Tagore's novel).<ref>{{Cite book |last=Ekāḍemī (Bangladesh) |first=Bāṃlā |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=33xjAAAAMAAJ&q=Patalpuri+1935 |title=Bangla Academy Journal |date=1995 |publisher=Bangla Academy. |language=en}}</ref> Nazrul Islam wrote songs and directed music for ]'s biographical epic play based on the life of ].<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Mallick |first=Sadya Afreen |date=28 August 2015 |title=Nazrul's tryst with Bengali theatre |url=http://www.thedailystar.net/arts-entertainment/event/nazruls-tryst-bengali-theatre-133651 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180704155905/https://www.thedailystar.net/arts-entertainment/event/nazruls-tryst-bengali-theatre-133651 |archive-date=4 July 2018 |access-date=5 March 2016 |work=The Daily Star}}</ref> He worked on the plays "Jahangir" and "Annyapurna" by Monilal Gangopadhyay.<ref name=":1" /> In 1939 Nazrul began working for Calcutta Radio, supervising the production and broadcasting of the station's musical programs. He produced critical and analytic documentaries on music, such as "Haramoni" and "Navaraga-malika". Nazrul Islam also wrote a large variety of songs inspired by the ] ''Bhairav''.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Rafiqul Islam |first=Rafiqul |title=Nazrul: An Evaluation |date=2000 |publisher=Nazrul Institute |isbn=978-984-555-167-0 |editor-last=Mohammad Nurul Huda |location=Dhaka |page=117 |chapter=Nazrul Islam |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MtpVAAAACAAJ}}</ref>
{{cquote|Let people of all countries and all times come together. At one great union of humanity. Let them listen to the flute music of one great unity. Should a single person be hurt, all hearts should feel it equally. If one person is insulted; it is a shame to all mankind, an insult to all! Today is the grand uprising of the agony of universal man.}}<ref>{{cite book
| last = Chakravarthy
| first = Basudha
| year = 1968
| title = Kazi Nazrul Islam
| publisher = National Book Trust
| location = ]
| pages = 72
}}</ref></blockquote>


== Illness and death ==
Nazrul is considered to have been one of the most brilliant exponents of ], a form of Hinduism widely practised in Bengal and ].<ref name="heretic">{{cite web
]<ref>{{Cite news |date=28 August 2015 |title=The grave of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam on the Dhaka University Central Mosque premises |url=http://www.observerbd.com/2015/08/28/107530.php |access-date=5 March 2016 |work=The Daily Observer}}</ref>|alt=]]
| last = McDaniel
Nazrul Islam's wife Pramila Devi fell seriously ill in 1939 and was paralysed from the waist down. To provide for his wife's medical treatment, he mortgaged the royalties of his gramophone records and literary works for 400 rupees.<ref name="Kamal 325">{{Cite book |last=Kamal |first=Sajed |title=Nazrul: An Evaluation |date=2000 |publisher=Nazrul Institute |isbn=978-984-555-167-0 |editor-last=Mohammad Nurul Huda |location=Dhaka |page=325 |chapter=Kazi Nazrul Islam: A Chronology of Life |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MtpVAAAACAAJ}}</ref> He returned to journalism in 1940 by working as chief editor for the daily newspaper '']'' ('New Age'), founded by the Bengali politician ].<ref name="Kamal 325" />
| first = June
| date = ]
| url = http://www.nazrul.org/
| title = Kazi Nazrul Islam:
A Voice for Progressive Islam
| format = HTML
| accessdate = 2006-09-21
}}</ref> Nazrul's poetry imbibed the passion and creativity of ], which is identified as the ], the personification of primordial energy. He wrote and composed many ''bhajans'', ''shyamasangeet'', ''agamanis'' and ''kirtans''. He also composed large number of songs on invocation to Lord ], Goddesses ] and ] and on the theme of love of ] and ].<ref name="MOF2">{{cite web
| last = Chaudhuri
| first = Dilip
| date = ]
| url = http://pib.nic.in/feature/fe0899/f1608991.html
| title = Nazrul Islam: The unparalleled lyricist and composer of Bengal
| publisher = Press Information Bureau, ]
| format = HTML
| accessdate = 2006-09-22
}}</ref> For many contemporary critics, Nazrul's works also reflect the ] of the teachings of sages ] and ] as well as the syncretism of ] emperor ]'s '']'' school.<ref name="heretic">{{cite web
| last = McDaniel
| first = June
| date = ]
| url = http://www.nazrul.org/
| title = Kazi Nazrul Islam:
A Voice for Progressive Islam
| format = HTML
| accessdate = 2006-09-21
}}</ref>


On hearing about the death of Rabindranath Tagore on 8 August 1941, a shocked Nazrul Islam composed two poems in Tagore's memory. One of the two poems, "Rabihara" (loss of Rabi, or without Rabi), was broadcast on the ].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Nurul Huda |first=Muhammad |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Co9jAAAAMAAJ |title=Nazrul's Aesthetics and Other Aspects |date=2001 |publisher=Nazrul Institute |page=129 |language=en}}</ref> Within months, Nazrul Islam himself fell ill and gradually began losing his power of speech. His behaviour became erratic, he started spending recklessly and fell into financial difficulties. In spite of her own illness, his wife constantly cared for her husband. However, Nazrul Islam's health had seriously deteriorated and he grew increasingly depressed. He received treatment under ] as well as ], but little progress was achieved before mental dysfunction intensified and he was admitted to a mental asylum in 1942. Spending four months there without making progress, Nazrul Islam and his family began living a quiet life in India. In 1952, he was transferred to a psychiatric hospital in ]. Through the efforts of a large group of admirers who called themselves the "Nazrul Treatment Society",<ref>{{Cite news |date=27 August 2015 |title=10 key events in Kazi Nazrul's life |work=The Daily Star |url=http://www.thedailystar.net/literature/10-key-events-kazi-nazrul%E2%80%99s-life-133459 |access-date=5 February 2016}}</ref> Nazrul Islam and Pramila were sent to London, then to Vienna for treatment.<ref name="Kamal 326">{{Cite book |last=Kamal |first=Sajed |title=Nazrul: An Evaluation |date=2000 |publisher=Nazrul Institute |isbn=978-984-555-167-0 |editor-last=Mohammad Nurul Huda |location=Dhaka |page=326 |chapter=Kazi Nazrul Islam: A Chronology of Life |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MtpVAAAACAAJ}}</ref> The examining doctors said he had received poor care, and Dr. ], a leading ] in Vienna, diagnosed that Nazrul Islam had ]. His condition was judged to be incurable, Nazrul Islam returned to Calcutta on 15 December 1953.<ref name="Kamal 326" /> On 30 June 1962 Pramila died,<ref name=":2" /> and Nazrul Islam remained in intensive medical care. He stopped working due to his deteriorating health.<ref>{{Citation |last=HR Channel |title=Kazi Nazrul Islam – a documentary 1956–1957 |date=10 July 2017 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PwioVksT-A |access-date=29 June 2018}} Director: Manmath Roy</ref>
{{cquote|Open your heart &mdash; within you dwell all the religions. All the prophets &mdash; your heart. Is the universal temple... Why do you search for God in vain. Within the skeletons of dead scriptures. When he smilingly resides in your immortal heart? I'm not lying to you, my friend. Before this heart, all nobility surrenders.}}<ref name="heretic">{{cite web
| last = McDaniel
| first = June
| date = ]
| url = http://www.nazrul.org/
| title = Kazi Nazrul Islam:
A Voice for Progressive Islam
| format = HTML
| accessdate = 2006-09-21
}}</ref></blockquote>


Despite receiving treatment and attention, Nazrul Islam's physical and mental health did not improve; and Nazrul Islam soon died from his long-standing ailments on 29 August 1976. In accordance with a wish he had expressed in one of his poems, he was ].
Nazrul assailed fanaticism in religion, denouncing it as evil and inherently irreligious. He devoted many works to expound upon the principle of human equality, exploring the '']'' and the life of Islam's prophet ]. Nazrul has been compared to ] for being the first Muslim poet to create imagery and symbolism of Muslim historical figures such as Qasim, ], ], ], Anwar Pasha and the prophet ].<ref name="sedition">{{cite web
| last = Choudhury
| first = Serajul Islam
| date = ]
| url = http://www.newagebd.com/2006/may/26/may26/xtra_also1.html
| title = The Blazing Comet
| format = HTML
| accessdate = 2006-09-22
}}</ref> His vigourous assault on extremism and mistreatment of women provoked condemnation from religious Muslims, many of whom denounced him as a '']'' (heretic).<ref name="heretic">{{cite web
| last = McDaniel
| first = June
| date = ]
| url = http://www.nazrul.org/
| title = Kazi Nazrul Islam:
A Voice for Progressive Islam
| format = HTML
| accessdate = 2006-09-21
}}</ref>


Controversy has been reported around the funeral of Nazrul Islam. Nazrul Islam's sons requested the Bangladesh High Commission in Delhi to arrange for the return of their father's body to India by an aircraft so that he be buried beside their mother's grave as per her last wishes. A space had been reserved for his burial next to her grave in the poets native village, ]. When the sons arrived in Dhaka for the last rites, they found that they were completed without their attendance and that the poet had been buried in Dhaka University. Popular demand continues in West Bengal for the poet to be buried back in India.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.epw.in/journal/2006/50/special-articles/two-nations-and-dead-body.html | title=Two Nations and a Dead Body | date=16 December 2006 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/4419033 | jstor=4419033 | title=Two Nations and a Dead Body: Mortuarial Rites and Post-Colonial Modes of Nation-Making in South Asia | last1=Nag | first1=Sajal | journal=Economic and Political Weekly | date=22 January 2024 | volume=41 | issue=50 | pages=5183–5190 }}</ref>
==Later life and illness==
]
In 1933, Nazrul published a collection of essays titled "Modern World Literature", in which he analyses different styles and themes of literature. Nazrul identifies two main literary trends &mdash; the first demonstrates passionate devotion to ] with the exploration of the home environment of human beings; the second attempts to rise above and out of Earth to explore and reach the heavens.<ref name="NAZRUL">{{cite web
| last =
| first = Nazrul.org
| date = ]
| url = http://www.nazrul.org/
| title = K. Nazrul Islam
| format = HTML
| accessdate = 2006-07-08
}}</ref> Between 1928 and 1935 he published 10 volumes of songs containing over 800 songs of which more than 600 were based on classical '']''. Almost 100 were folk tunes after '']'' and some 30 were patriotic songs. From the time of his return to Kolkata until he fell ill in 1941, Nazrul composed more than 2,600 songs, many of which have been lost.<ref name="MOF2">{{cite web
| last = Chaudhuri
| first = Dilip
| date = ]
| url = http://pib.nic.in/feature/fe0899/f1608991.html
| title = Nazrul Islam: The unparalleled lyricist and composer of Bengal
| publisher = Press Information Bureau, ]
| format = HTML
| accessdate = 2006-09-22
}}</ref> His songs based on ''baul'', ''jhumur'', ] folksongs, jhanpan or the folk songs of '']'', ''bhatiali'' and ''bhaoaia'' consist of tunes of folk-songs on the one hand and a refined lyric with poetic beauty on the other.<ref name="MOF2">{{cite web
| last = Chaudhuri
| first = Dilip
| date = ]
| url = http://pib.nic.in/feature/fe0899/f1608991.html
| title = Nazrul Islam: The unparalleled lyricist and composer of Bengal
| publisher = Press Information Bureau, ]
| format = HTML
| accessdate = 2006-09-22
}}</ref> He also wrote poetry, songs and stories for children, seeking to inspire the thirst for knowledge, the spirit of freedom and independent thinking.


Bangladesh observed two days of national mourning, and the ] observed a minute of silence in his honour.<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 October 2007 |title=References to demise of Heads of foreign States or eminent international personalities |url=http://164.100.24.167/rajya/19/94/i5/94I50H02.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120325222250/http://164.100.24.167/rajya/19/94/i5/94I50H02.htm |archive-date=25 March 2012 |access-date=13 May 2008}}</ref>


== Criticism ==
Nazrul's success soon brought him into Indian theatre and the nascent ]. The first picture for which he worked was based on ]'s story "Bhakta Dhruva" in 1934. Nazrul acted in the role of ] and directed the film. He also composed songs for it, directed the music and served as a ].<ref name="Banglapedia">{{cite web
According to literary critic ], Nazrul Islam's poetry is characterised by abundant use of rhetorical devices, which he employed to convey conviction and sensuousness. He often wrote without care for organisation or polish. His works have often been criticised for ], but his admirers counter that they carry more a sense of self-confidence than of ego. They cite his ability to defy God, or rather orthodox conceptions of God, yet maintain an inner, humble devotion to Him.<ref name="sedition" /> Nazrul Islam's poetry is regarded as rugged but unique in comparison to Tagore's sophisticated style. Nazrul Islam's use of ] vocabulary was controversial, but it increased the range of his work.<ref name="sedition" />
| last =
| first = Banglapedia
| date = ]
| url = http://banglapedia.search.com.bd/HT/I_0109.htm
| title = Kazi Nazrul Islam
| format = HTML
| accessdate = 2006-07-08
}}</ref> The film ''Vidyapati'' (''Master of Knowledge'') was produced based on his recorded play in 1936, and Nazrul served as the music director for the film adaptation of Tagore's novel ''Gora''. Nazrul wrote songs and directed music for ]'s bioepic play '']''. In 1939, Nazrul began working for Calcutta Radio, supervising the production and broadcasting of the station's musical programmes. He produced critical and analytic documentaries on music, such as ''Haramoni'' and ''Navaraga-malika''. Nazrul also wrote a large variety of songs inspired by the ] ''Bhairav''.<ref name="NAZRUL">{{cite web
| last =
| first = Nazrul.org
| date = ]
| url = http://www.nazrul.org/
| title = K. Nazrul Islam
| format = HTML
| accessdate = 2006-07-08
}}</ref> In these final years of activity, Nazrul worked intensely and his fame spread across India. While enjoying commercial success, Nazrul sought to preserve his artistic integrity by condemning the adaptation of his songs to music composed by others and insisting on the use of tunes he composed himself.


== Legacy ==
{{main|List of things named after Kazi Nazrul Islam}}], Asansol, ], India which is also the birthplace of Kazi Nazrul Islam.]]
]
]
On 24 May 1972, the newly independent nation of Bangladesh brought Nazrul Islam to live in Dhaka with the consent of the ]. The government of Bangladesh conferred upon him the status of "]" in 1972.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kumar Das |first=Subrata |title=Nazrul . . . in the eyes of Benoykumar |work=The Daily Star |url=http://archive.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=186548 |access-date=26 February 2016 |archive-date=19 December 2016 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20161219110132/http://archive.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=186548 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Kazi Nazrul Islam: Rebel and Lover |url=http://www.theindependentbd.com/post/1731 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170706043407/http://www.theindependentbd.com/post/1731 |archive-date=6 July 2017 |access-date=27 February 2016 |work=The Independent |location=Dhaka |quote=The rebel poet Kazi Nazrul Islam was crowned in 1972 as the national poet of Bangladesh.}}</ref> However it was officially gazetted in 2024.<ref>{{cite news |title=Bangladesh officially recognizes late Kazi Nazrul Islam as 'national poet' |url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/bangladesh-officially-recognizes-late-kazi-nazrul-islam-as-national-poet-/3440772# |work=] |date=3 January 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Kazi Nazrul Islam officially recognised as national poet |url=https://en.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/zoogq5cu7n |work=] |date=3 January 2025 |language=en}}</ref> In February 1976, during his stay in Bangladesh, he was awarded Bangladeshi citizenship.<ref name="Banglapedia" />


He was awarded an Honorary ] by the University of Dhaka in 1974 and in 1976
Nazrul's wife Pramila Devi fell seriously ill in 1939 and was paralysed from waist down. To provide for his wife's medical treatment, he sold his property as well as copyrights and royalties he received for his works.<ref name="heretic">{{cite web
he was awarded the ] by the President of Bangladesh Justice ].<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2" /> Many centres of learning and culture in Bangladesh and India had been founded and dedicated to his memory. The ] is a large public organization working for the education of children throughout the country.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bangladesh Nazrul Sena |url=http://www.nazrulsena.org/indexmain.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100111055412/http://www.nazrulsena.org/indexmain.htm |archive-date=11 January 2010 |access-date=13 May 2008}}</ref> The Nazrul Endowment provides funding for research into the life and work of Kazi Nazrul Islam in U.S. Universities like ] and ].<ref>{{Cite news |title=Nazrul at CSUN |work=The Daily Star |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news/nazrul-at-csun |access-date=27 February 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Nazrul on the global stage |work=The Daily Start |url=http://archive.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=235542 |access-date=27 February 2016}}</ref> Nazrul was awarded the Jagattarini Gold Medal, the highest honour for work in Bengali literature by the ], in 1945 and was awarded the ], the third-highest civilian award of India, in 1960.<ref name="Kamal 326" />
| last = McDaniel
].|alt=]]
| first = June
Nazrul Islam's works for children have won acclaim for his use of rich language, imagination, enthusiasm, and an ability to fascinate young readers.<ref name="sedition" /> Nazrul is regarded for his secularism.<ref>{{Cite news |date=25 May 2011 |title=A unique symbol of secularism, President says of the rebel poet Nazrul's birthday celebrated |work=Banglanews24.com |url=http://www.banglanews24.com/English/detailsnews.php?nssl=b1234cae2f9d0e75a246f66753d2fce3&nttl=2011052520556 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110213827/http://www.banglanews24.com/English/detailsnews.php?nssl=b1234cae2f9d0e75a246f66753d2fce3&nttl=2011052520556 |archive-date=10 November 2013}}</ref> His poetry has been translated to several languages including English, Spanish, and Portuguese.<ref>{{Cite news |date=20 February 2016 |title=Nazrul's works translated in Spanish and Portuguese |url=http://www.thedailystar.net/arts-entertainment/event/nazruls-works-translated-spanish-and-portugese-574963 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170704035937/http://www.thedailystar.net/arts-entertainment/event/nazruls-works-translated-spanish-and-portugese-574963 |archive-date=4 July 2017 |access-date=26 February 2016 |work=The Daily Star}}</ref> The Uzbek poet ] wrote an ] about Nazrul Islam entitled ''Ruhlar isyoni'' (''The Rise of the Spirits'').<ref>{{cite news |title=Эркин Воҳидов таваллудига бағишланган хотира тадбири бўлиб ўтди |url=https://kknews.uz/uz/127535.html |access-date=2 November 2023 |agency=Karakalpakstan News Agency |date=29 December 2022 |language=Uzbek}}</ref> A major avenue is named after him in Dhaka, Bangladesh.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Karwan Bazar veg traders rout out Rajuk eviction team |url=http://www.thedailystar.net/city/traders-go-berserk-during-rajuks-eviction-drive-1204933 |access-date=6 April 2016 |work=The Daily Star |quote=block the nearby Kazi Nazrul Islam Avenue}}</ref> ] in Asansol, West Bengal, India is named after him and ] In Birbhum, West Bengal.<ref>{{Cite news |date=24 November 2012 |title=Anuradha Mukherjee appointed as new vice-chancellor of Kazi Nazrul Islam University |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Anuradha-Mukherjee-appointed-as-new-vice-chancellor-of-Kazi-Nazrul-Islam-University/articleshow/17344503.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180204163741/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com//city/kolkata/Anuradha-Mukherjee-appointed-as-new-vice-chancellor-of-Kazi-Nazrul-Islam-University/articleshow/17344503.cms |archive-date=4 February 2018 |access-date=6 April 2016 |work=The Times of India }}</ref> ] in Mymensingh, Bangladesh is a public university named after him.<ref>{{Cite news |date=11 March 2016 |title=Murder of Nazrul univ student sparks protest |url=http://www.thedailystar.net/country/murder-nazrul-univ-student-sparks-protest-789391 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180629160136/https://www.thedailystar.net/country/murder-nazrul-univ-student-sparks-protest-789391 |archive-date=29 June 2018 |access-date=6 April 2016 |work=The Daily Star}}</ref> ] in Dhaka, Bangladesh is also named after him. There is a cultural institution called Nazrul Academy, which is spread throughout Bangladesh. ] in Andal, West Bengal, is India's first private greenfield airport.<ref name=":3" /> A chair has been named after him in University of Calcutta and the Government of West Bengal has opened a ] in ], a cultural centre with library, auditorium and movie theatre dedicated to his memory.<ref name=":3" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=26 May 2014 |title='Nazrul Tirtha', a hub of cultural exchange with Bangladesh |url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/nazrul-tirtha-a-hub-of-cultural-exchange-with-bangladesh-114052601163_1.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180629155410/https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/nazrul-tirtha-a-hub-of-cultural-exchange-with-bangladesh-114052601163_1.html |archive-date=29 June 2018 |access-date=6 April 2016 |work=The Business Standard}}</ref> On 25 May 2020, Google celebrated his 121st birthday with a ].<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 May 2020 |title=Kazi Nazrul Islam's 121st Birthday |url=https://doodles.google/doodle/kazi-nazrul-islams-121st-birthday/ |website=Google}}</ref> On 20 November 2020, a documentary film about Kazi Nazrul Islam was released in Dhaka titled '']''. There is a metro station named "Kavi Nazrul" on Blue Line of ]. ] is a auditorium of kolkata.
| date = ]
| url = http://www.nazrul.org/
| title = Kazi Nazrul Islam:
A Voice for Progressive Islam
| format = HTML
| accessdate = 2006-09-21
}}</ref> He returned to journalism in 1941 by working as chief editor for the daily newspaper ''Nabayug'' ("New Age"), founded by the eminent Bengali politician ].<ref name="NAZRUL">{{cite web
| last =
| first = Nazrul.org
| date = ]
| url = http://www.nazrul.org/
| title = K. Nazrul Islam
| format = HTML
| accessdate = 2006-07-08
}}</ref>
Nazrul also was shaken by the death of Rabindranath Tagore on ], ]. He spontaneously composed two poems in Tagore's memory, one of which, "Rabihara" (loss of Rabi or without Rabi) was broadcast on the ]. Within months, Nazrul himself fell seriously ill and gradually began losing his power of speech. His behaviour became erratic, and spending recklessly, he fell into financial difficulties. Embittered by the sudden loss of his active life, Nazrul wrote in a letter to his friend Zulfikar Haider on ], ]:
], circa 1974.]]
{{cquote|... I am bed-ridden due to blood pressure. I am writing with great difficulty. My home is filled with worries &mdash; illness, debt, creditors; day and night I am struggling.... My nerves are shattered. For the last six months, I used to visit Mr. Haque daily and spend 5-6 hours like a beggar.... I am unable to have quality medical help.... This might be my last letter to you. With only great difficulty, I can utter a few words. I am in pain almost all over my body. I might get money like the poet ] on the day of the janajar namaz (funeral prayer). However, I have asked my relatives to refuse that money... Yours, Nazrul.}}<ref name="NAZRUL">{{cite web
| last =
| first = Nazrul.org
| date = ]
| url = http://www.nazrul.org/
| title = K. Nazrul Islam
| format = HTML
| accessdate = 2006-07-08
}}</ref></BLOCKQUOTE>


== See also ==
In spite of her own predicament his wife constantly cared for her husband. However, Nazrul's health seriously deteriorated and he grew increasingly depressed. He underwent medical treatment under ] as well as ], but little progress was achieved before mental dysfunction intensified and he was admitted to a mental asylum in 1942. Spending four months there without making progress, Nazrul and his family began living a silent life in India. In 1952, he was transferred to a mental hospital in ]. With the efforts of a large group of admirers who called themselves the "Nazrul Treatment Society" as well as prominent supporters such as the Indian politician ], the poet travelled to ] for treatment.<ref name="NAZRUL">{{cite web
* ]
| last =
| first = Nazrul.org
| date = ]
| url = http://www.nazrul.org/
| title = K. Nazrul Islam
| format = HTML
| accessdate = 2006-07-08
}}</ref> Eminent physicians in London and later ] stated that he had received poor medical care. Dr. Hans Hoff, a leading neurosurgeon in Vienna, diagnosed that Nazrul was suffering from ].<ref name="ILL">{{cite web
| last = Farooq
| first = Dr. Mohammad Omar
| date = ]
| url = http://www.nazrul.org/nazrul_life/illness.htm
| title = Nazrul's Illness and Treatment
| publisher = Nazrul.org (March 2007)
| format = HTML
| accessdate = 2007-03-10
}}</ref> His condition judged to be incurable, Nazrul returned to India in December 1953.


== References ==
On ], ] his wife Pramila died. Nazrul remained in intensive medical care. In 1972, the newly independent nation of Bangladesh obtained permission from the ] to bring Nazrul to live in Dhaka and accorded him honorary citizenship.<ref name="Banglapedia" /> Despite receiving treatment and attention, Nazrul's physical and mental health did not improve. In 1974, his youngest son, Kazi Aniruddha, an eminent guitarist died, and Nazrul soon succumbed to his long-standing ailments on ], ]. In accordance with a wish he had expressed in one of his poems, he was buried beside a mosque on the campus of the ]. Tens of thousands of people attended his funeral. Bangladesh observed two days of national mourning and the ] observed a minute of silence in his honour.<ref name="heretic">{{cite web
===Notes===
| last = McDaniel
{{Notelist}}
| first = June
| date = ]
| url = http://www.nazrul.org/
| title = Kazi Nazrul Islam:
A Voice for Progressive Islam
| format = HTML
| accessdate = 2006-09-21
}}</ref> His last surviving son Sabhyasachi died in 1979.<ref name="NAZRUL">{{cite web
| last =
| first = Nazrul.org
| date = ]
| url = http://www.nazrul.org/
| title = K. Nazrul Islam
| format = HTML
| accessdate = 2006-07-08
}}</ref>


===Citations===
==Criticism and legacy==
{{Reflist}}
]
While his career was active, Nazrul received intense criticism from religious Muslims for his assimilation of Hindu philosophy and culture with Islam in his works and for openly denouncing many Islamic teachings.<ref name="heretic">{{cite web
| last = McDaniel
| first = June
| date = ]
| url = http://www.nazrul.org/
| title = Kazi Nazrul Islam:
A Voice for Progressive Islam
| format = HTML
| accessdate = 2006-09-21
}}</ref> Although a Muslim, he named his sons with both Hindu and Muslim names -Krishna Mohammad, Arindam Khaled(bulbul), Kazi Sazbyasachi and Kazi Aniruddha. His rebellious nature has also earned him the addage of the "anarchist poet”, as he criticized the main political parties and ideologies of the day.<ref name="KNI">{{cite web
| last = Ahsanuzzaman
| first = Ahmed
| date = ]
| url = http://www.ibsensociety.liu.edu/conferencepapers/nonoras.pdf
| title = Byron of Bengali literature
| format = PDF
| accessdate = 2006-07-08
}}</ref> Nazrul is hailed for his sincere conviction in the liberation of women. His poems explored the independence of a woman's mind and the ability to perform diverse roles in society.<ref name="WOMEN">{{cite web
| last = Herman
| first = Dr. Phyllis
| date = ]
| url = http://www.nazrul.org/works_on_nazrul/articles/herman_boundaries.htm
| title = Kazi Nazrul Islam: Crossing Boundaries
| format = HTML
| accessdate = 2007-03-11
}}</ref>. His vision of gender equality was powerfully expressed in his poem "Woman."<ref name="NARI">{{cite web
| last = Islam
| first = Kazi Nazrul
| date = ]
| url = http://www.nazrul.org/nazrul_works/farooq_trans/t_naz_woman.htm
| title = Poem: Woman (Original: "Nari")
| format = HTML
| accessdate = 2007-03-11
}}</ref>


== External links ==
Nazrul's poetry is characterized by an abundant use of rhetorical devices, which he employs to convey conviction and sensuousness. He often wrote without caring for organization or polishing his work. His works have been criticized often for ], but his admirers counter that they carry self-confidence. They cite his ability to defy God yet maintain an inner, humble devotion.<ref name="sedition">{{cite web
* {{Internet Archive author |sname=Kazi Nazrul Islam}}
| last = Choudhury
* {{Gbooks-author|Nazrul Islam (Kazi)}}
| first = Serajul Islam
*
| date = ]
* Poem
| url = http://www.newagebd.com/2006/may/26/may26/xtra_also1.html
| title = The Blazing Comet
| format = HTML
| accessdate = 2006-09-22
}}</ref> Nazrul's poetry is regarded as rugged but unique in comparison to his contemporary Rabindranath Tagore's sophisticated style. Nazrul's use of ] vocabulary was controversial but it widened the scope of his work.<ref name="sedition">{{cite web
| last = Choudhury
| first = Serajul Islam
| date = ]
| url = http://www.newagebd.com/2006/may/26/may26/xtra_also1.html
| title = The Blazing Comet
| format = HTML
| accessdate = 2006-09-22
}}</ref> Nazrul's works for children have won acclaim for his use of rich language, imagination, enthusiasm and an ability to fascinate young readers.<ref name="sedition">{{cite web
| last = Choudhury
| first = Serajul Islam
| date = ]
| url = http://www.newagebd.com/2006/may/26/may26/xtra_also1.html
| title = The Blazing Comet
| format = HTML
| accessdate = 2006-09-22
}}</ref>


{{Kazi Nazrul Islam}}
Kazi Nazrul Islam is acknowledged as one of the greatest Bengali poets of all time. He pioneered new styles and expressed radical ideas and emotions in a large collection of works. Scholars credit him for spearheading a cultural renaissance in the Muslim community of Bengal, "liberating" poetry and literature in Bengali from its medieval mould.<ref name="KNS">{{cite web
{{Notable singers of Nazrul Geeti}}
| last =
| first = Bangladesh Nazrul Sena {{Symbols of Bangladesh}}
{{Bengal Renaissance}}
| date = ]
{{PadmaBhushanAwardRecipients 1960–69}}
| url = http://www.nazrulsena.org/nazrul.htm
{{West Bengal}}
| title = Biography
{{Portalbar|Bangladesh|Biography|Poetry}}
| format = HTML
{{Subject bar
| accessdate = 2006-07-10
|commons = y
}}</ref> Nazrul was awarded the Jagattarini Gold Medal in 1945 &mdash; the highest honour for work in Bengali literature by the ] &mdash; and awarded the ], one of India's highest civilian honours in 1960.<ref name="NAZRUL">{{cite web
| last = |n = y
| first = Nazrul.org |n-search = Category:Kazi Nazrul Islam
|wikt = y
| date = ]
|q = y
| url = http://www.nazrul.org/
|s = y
| title = K. Nazrul Islam
| format = HTML |d = y
| accessdate = 2006-07-08
}}</ref> The Government of ] conferred upon him the status of being the "national poet". He was awarded the "Ekushe Padak" by the Government of ]. He was awarded Honorary ] by the ] . Many centres of learning and culture in India and Bangladesh have been founded and dedicated to his memory. The ] is one of several scholarly institutions established to preserve and expound upon his thoughts and philosophy, as well as the preservation and analysis of the large and diverse collection of his works. The ] is a large public organization working for the education of children throughout the country. Nazrul's numerous works remain widely popular with the public of India and Bangladesh.<ref name="Col">{{cite web
| last =
| first = Bangla2000
| date = ]
| url = http://www.bangla2000.com/bangladesh/art-&-culture.shtm
| title = Nazrul Sangeet
| format = HTML
| accessdate = 2006-10-02
}}</ref>

==See also==
{{BengalRen}}
{{IndiaFreedom}}
{{featured article}}

==References==
*Karunamaya Goswami, ''Kazi Nazrul Islam: A Biography'', (Nazrul Institute; Dhaka, 1996)
*Rafiqul Islam, ''Kazi Nazrul Islam: A New Anthology'', (]; Dhaka, 1990)
*Basudha Chakravarty, ''Kazi Nazrul Islam'', (National Book Trust; New Delhi, 1968)
*Abdul Hakim, ''The Fiery Lyre of Nazrul Islam'', (Bangla Academy; Dhaka, 1974)

==Notes==
{{IndicText}}
{{sisterlinks|Kazi Nazrul Islam}}
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
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|NAME=Nazrul Islam, Kazi
|ALTERNATIVE NAMES=কাজী নজরুল ইসলাম (Bengali)
|SHORT DESCRIPTION=Bengali writer, philosopher, and musician
|DATE OF BIRTH=], ]
|PLACE OF BIRTH=], ], ] (now ], ])
|DATE OF DEATH=], ]
|PLACE OF DEATH=], ]
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Latest revision as of 21:18, 12 January 2025

Bengali poet, writer and musician (1899–1976) "Nazrul" and "Nazrul Islam" redirect here. For other persons with the same name, see Nazrul Islam (disambiguation). For other uses, see Kazi Nazrul Islam (disambiguation).

Rebel Poet
National PoetKazi Nazrul Islam
কাজী নজরুল ইসলাম
Kazi Nazrul Islam in 1926, Chittagong
Pronunciation[kad͡ʒi nod͡ʒɾul islam]
Born
Churulia, Bengal, British India
Died29 August 1976(1976-08-29) (aged 77)
Dhaka, Bangladesh
Resting placeMausoleum of Kazi Nazrul Islam, Bangladesh
23°44′06″N 90°23′42″E / 23.7351°N 90.3950°E / 23.7351; 90.3950
Other namesDukhu Mia
Citizenship
Occupations
  • Poet
  • short-story writer
  • novelist
  • essayist
  • playwright
  • journalist
  • editor
  • translator
  • songwriter
  • composer
  • singer
  • actor
  • soldier
  • activist
Years active1920–1942
Works
Political partyWorkers and Peasants Party
MovementBengali Renaissance
Criminal chargesSedition
Criminal penalty3-month imprisonment
Spouses
Nargis Asar Khanum ​ ​(m. 1921; div. 1937)
Pramila Devi ​ ​(m. 1924; died 1962)
Children
Parents
  • Kazi Faqeer Ahmed (father)
  • Zahida Khatun (mother)
Awards
Writing career
Pen nameDhūmketu
NicknameDukhumian, Tarakkhyapa
Language
PeriodModern
Genre
Subject
Notable works
Musical career
Genres
Instruments
DiscographyFull list
Labels
Formerly ofLeto group
Musical artist
Military career
Allegiance British Empire
Service / branch British Indian Army
Years of service1917–1920
Rank Havildar (Sergeant)
Unit49th Bengalee Regiment
Battles / warsWorld War I
Signature

Kazi Nazrul Islam (Bengali: কাজী নজরুল ইসলাম, pronounced [kad͡ʒi ˈnod͡ʒɾul islam] ; 24 May 1899 – 29 August 1976) was a Bengali poet, short story writer, journalist, lyricist and musician. He is the national poet of Bangladesh. Nazrul produced a large body of poetry, music, messages, novels, and stories with themes, that included equality, justice, anti-imperialism, humanity, rebellion against oppression and religious devotion. Nazrul Islam's activism for political and social justice as well as writing a poem titled as "Bidrohī", meaning "the rebel" in Bengali, earned him the title of "Bidrohī Kôbi" (Rebel Poet). His compositions form the avant-garde music genre of Nazrul Gīti (Music of Nazrul).

Born into a Bengali Muslim Kazi family hailing from Churulia in Burdwan district in Bengal Presidency (now in West Bengal, India), Nazrul Islam received religious education and as a young man worked as a muezzin at a local mosque. He learned about poetry, drama, and literature while working with the rural theatrical group Leṭor Dôl, Leṭo being a folk song genre of West Bengal usually performed by the people from Muslim community of the region. He joined the British Indian Army in 1917 and was posted in Karachi. Nazrul Islam established himself as a journalist in Calcutta after the war ended. He criticised the British Raj and called for revolution through his famous poetic works, such as "Bidrohī" ('The Rebel') and "Bhangar Gan" ('The Song of Destruction'), as well as in his publication Dhūmketu ('The Comet'). His nationalist activism in Indian independence movement led to his frequent imprisonment by the colonial British authorities. While in prison, Nazrul Islam wrote the "Rajbôndīr Jôbanbôndī" ('Deposition of a Political Prisoner'). His writings greatly inspired Bengalis of East Pakistan during the Bangladesh Liberation War.

Nazrul Islam's writings explored themes such as freedom, humanity, love, and revolution. He opposed all forms of bigotry and fundamentalism, including religious, caste-based and gender-based. Nazrul wrote short stories, novels, and essays but is best known for his songs and poems. He introduced the ghazal songs in the Bengali language and is also known for his extensive use of Arabic and Persian influenced Bengali words in his works.

Nazrul Islam wrote and composed music for nearly 4,000 songs (many recorded on Gramophone Company India gramophone records), collectively known as Nazrul Gīti. In 1942 at the age of 43, he began to be affected by an unknown disease, losing his voice and memory. A medical team in Vienna diagnosed the disease as Pick's disease, a rare incurable neurodegenerative disease. It caused Nazrul Islam's health to decline steadily and forced him to live in isolation. He was also admitted in Ranchi (Jharkhand) psychiatric hospital for many years. The ailing Indian poet was taken to Bangladesh with the consent of the Government of India on 24 May 1972, at the invitation of the Government of Bangladesh. His family accompanied him and relocated to Dhaka. Later, on 18 February 1976, the citizenship of Bangladesh was conferred upon him. He died on 29 August 1976.

Early life

Nazrul Islam was born on Wednesday 24 May 1899 in the village of Churulia, Asansol Sadar, Paschim Bardhaman district of the Bengal Presidency (now in West Bengal, India). He was born into the Bengali Muslim Taluqdar family of Churulia and was the second of three sons and a daughter. Nazrul Islam's father Kazi Faqeer Ahmed was the imam and caretaker of the local Pirpukur mosque and mausoleum of Haji Pahlawan. Nazrul Islam's mother was Zahida Khatun; he had two brothers, Kazi Saahibjaan and Kazi Ali Hussain, and a sister, Umme Kulsum. He was nicknamed Dukhu Miañ (দুখু মিঞা) literally, 'the one with grief'). Nazrul Islam studied at a maktab and madrasa, run by a mosque and a dargah respectively, where he studied the Quran, Hadith, Islamic philosophy, and theology. Following his father's death in 1908, the then 10 year old Nazrul Islam took his father's place as a caretaker of the mosque to support his family. He also assisted teachers in the school. He later worked as the muezzin at the mosque.

Attracted to folk theatre, Nazrul Islam joined a leto (travelling theatrical group) run by his uncle Fazle Karim. He worked and travelled with them, learning to act, as well as writing songs and poems for the plays and musicals. Through his work and experiences, Nazrul Islam began studying Bengali and Sanskrit literature, as well as Hindu scriptures such as the Puranas. Nazrul Islam composed folk plays for the group, which included Chāshār Shōng ('the drama of a peasant'), and plays about characters from the Mahabharata including Shokunībōdh ('the Killing of Shakuni), Rājā Judhisthirer Shōng ('the drama of King Yudhishthira), Dātā Kōrno ('the philanthropic Karna'), Ākbōr Bādshāh ('Akbar the emperor'), Kobi Kālidās ('poet Kalidas'), Bidyan Hutum ('the learned owl'), and Rājputrer Shōng ('the prince's sorrow').

In 1910, Nazrul Islam left the troupe and enrolled at the Searsole Raj High School in Raniganj. In school, he was influenced by his teacher, a Jugantar activist, Nibaran Chandra Ghatak, and began a lifelong friendship with fellow author Sailajananda Mukhopadhyay, who was his classmate. He later transferred to the Mathrun High English School, studying under the headmaster and poet Kumud Ranjan Mullick. Unable to continue paying his school fees, Nazrul Islam left the school and joined a group of kaviyals. Later he took jobs as a cook at Wahid Confectionery, a well-known bakery of the region, and at a tea stall in the town of Asansol. In 1914, Nazrul Islam studied in the Darirampur School (now Govt. Nazrul Academy) in Trishal, Mymensingh District. Amongst other subjects, Nazrul Islam studied Bengali, Sanskrit, Arabic, Persian literature and Hindustani classical music under teachers who were impressed by his dedication and skill.

Nazrul Islam studied up to grade 10 but did not appear for the matriculation pre-test examination; instead in 1917, he joined the British Indian Army at the age of eighteen. He had two primary motivations for joining the British Indian Army: first, a youthful desire for adventure and, second, an interest in the politics of the time. Attached to the 49th Bengal Regiment, he was posted to the Karachi Cantonment, where he wrote his first prose and poetry. Although he never saw active fighting, he rose in rank from corporal to havildar (sergeant), and served as quartermaster for his battalion.

During this period, Nazrul Islam read extensively the works of Rabindranath Tagore and Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay, as well as the Persian poets Hafez, Omar Khayyam, and Rumi. He learned Persian poetry from the regiment's Punjabi Moulvi, practiced music, and pursued his literary interests. His first prose work, "Life of a Vagabond" ('Baunduler Atmakahini), was published in May 1919. His poem "Mukti" ("মুক্তি", 'Freedom') was published by the Bengali Muslim Literary Journal (Bangiya Mussalman Sahitya Samiti) in July 1919.

Career

Bidrohi (The Rebel)

I am the unutterable grief,
I am the trembling first touch of the virgin,
I am the throbbing tenderness of her first stolen kiss.
I am the fleeting glance of the veiled beloved,
I am her constant surreptitious gaze...

I am the burning volcano in the bosom of the earth,
I am the wildfire of the woods,
I am Hell's mad terrific sea of wrath!
I ride on the wings of lightning with joy and profundity,
I scatter misery and fear all around,
I bring earthquakes on this world! "(8th stanza)"

I am the rebel eternal,
I raise my head beyond this world,
High, ever erect and alone!

 – Translation by Kabir Choudhary
Kazi Nazrul Islam playing setar

Kazi Nazrul Islam joined the army in late 1917. Nazrul Islam left the British Indian army in 1920, when the 49th Bengal Regiment was disbanded, and settled in Calcutta. He joined the staff of the Bangiya Mussalman Sahitya Samiti ("Bengali Muslim Literary Society"). He published his first novel Bandhan-hara (বাঁধন-হারা, 'Freedom from Bondage') in 1920, on which he continued to work over the next seven years. His first collection of poems, which included "Bodhan", "Shat-il-Arab", "Kheya-parer Tarani", and "Badal Prater Sharab", received critical acclaim.

Nazrul Islam grew close to other young Muslim writers, while working at the Bengali Muslim Literary Society, including Mohammad Mozammel Haq, Kazi Abdul Wadud, and Muhammad Shahidullah. Nazrul Islam and Muhammad Shahidullah remained close throughout their lives. He was a regular at the social clubs for Calcutta's writers, poets, and intellectuals such as the Gajendar Adda and the Bharatiya Adda. Nazrul did not have the formal education of Rabindranath and as a result his poems did not follow the literary practices established by Rabindranath. Due to this he faced criticism from followers of Rabindranath. Despite their differences, Nazrul looked to Rabindranath Tagore as a mentor. In 1921, Nazrul Islam was engaged to Nargis, the niece of a well-known Muslim publisher, Ali Akbar Khan, in Daulatpur, Comilla. On 18 June 1921, the day of the wedding, upon public insistence by Khan that the term "Nazrul must reside in Daulatpur after marriage" be included in the marriage contract, Nazrul Islam walked away from the wedding ceremony.

Young Kazi Nazrul Islam in-front of Dalmadal Cannon in Bishnupur, Bankura, 1920s

Nazrul Islam reached the peak of his fame in 1922 with Bidrohi (The Rebel), which remains his most famous work, winning the admiration of India's literary society for his description of a rebel. Published in the Bijli (বিজলী, "Lightning") magazine, the rebellious language and theme were well received, coinciding with the Non-Cooperation Movement – the first mass nationalist campaign of civil disobedience against British rule. Nazrul Islam explores the different forces at work in a rebel, the destroyer, and the preserver who is able to express rage as well as beauty and sensitivity. He followed up by writing Pralayollas ('Destructive Euphoria'), and his first anthology of poems, the Agni-veena ("অগ্নি-বীণা", 'Lyre of Fire') in 1922, which enjoyed commercial and critical success. He also published a volume of short stories, the Byathar Dan "ব্যথার দান" ('Gift of Sorrow'), and Yugbani ("যুগবাণী"), an anthology of essays.

Nazrul Islam started a bi-weekly magazine, Dhumketu ("ধূমকেতু", 'Comet') on 12 August 1922 that was critical of the British Empire. Earning the moniker of the "rebel poet", Nazrul Islam aroused the suspicion of British Raj authorities. The Police raided the office of Dhumketu after it published "Anondomoyeer Agomone" ("আনন্দময়ীর আগমনে"), a political poem, in September 1922. Nazrul Islam was arrested on 23 January 1923 and charged with sedition. He presented a long argument in the court, an excerpt of what he said:

I have been accused of sedition... To plead for me, the king of all kings, the judge of all judges, the eternal truth the living God... I am a poet; I have been sent by God to express the unexpressed, to portray the unportrayed. It is God who is heard through the voice of the poet... I am an instrument of God. The instrument is not unbreakable, but who is there to break God?

Kazi Nazrul Islam in the role of Narada, in the stage drama Dhruba.

On 14 April 1923, he was moved from Alipore Jail to Hooghly Jail in Hooghly. He began a 40-day fast to protest mistreatment by the British jail superintendent, breaking his fast more than a month later and eventually being released from prison in December 1923. Nazrul Islam composed numerous poems and songs during his period of imprisonment. In the 1920s, the British Indian government banned many of his writings. Rabindranath Tagore dedicated his play "Basanta" to Nazrul Islam in 1923. Nazrul Islam wrote the poem "Aj Srishti Shukher Ullashe" to thank Tagore. His book Bisher Banshi ('The Flute of Poison'), published in August 1924, was banned by the British Raj. Bisher Banshi called for rebellion in India against the British Raj. Bisher Banshi was read and distributed in secret following the ban.

Plaque in memory of Kazi Nazrul Islam in Hooghly Jail

Nazrul Islam was a critic of the Khilafat Movement in British India which he condemned as "hollow religious fundamentalism". His rebellious expression extended to rigid orthodoxy in the name of religion and politics. He also criticised the Indian National Congress for not embracing outright political independence from the British Empire. Nazrul became active in encouraging people to agitate against British rule, and joined the Bengal state unit of the Indian National Congress. Along with Muzaffar Ahmed, Nazrul also helped organise the Sramik Praja Swaraj Dal (Workers and Peasants Party), a socialist political party committed to national independence and the service of the working class. On 16 December 1925, Nazrul began publishing the Langal ('Plough'), a weekly, and served as its chief editor.

During his visit to Comilla in 1921, Nazrul Islam met a young Bengali Hindu woman, Pramila Devi, with whom he fell in love, and they married on 25 April 1924. Brahmo Samaj criticised Pramila, a member of the Brahmo Samaj, for marrying a Muslim. Muslim religious leaders criticised Nazrul Islam for his marriage to a Hindu woman. He also was criticised for his writings. Despite controversy, Nazrul Islam's popularity and reputation as the "rebel poet" increased significantly.

With his wife and young son Bulbul, Nazrul Islam settled at Grace Cottage, Krishnanagar in Krishnanagar in 1926. His work began to transform as he wrote poetry and songs that articulated the aspirations of the working class, a sphere of his work known as "mass music".

Daridro (Poverty)

O poverty, thou hast made me great
Thou hast made me honoured like Christ
With his crown of thorns. Thou hast given me
Courage to reveal all. To thee I owe
My insolent, naked eyes and sharp tongue.
Thy curse has turned my violin to a sword...
O proud saint, thy terrible fire
Has rendered my heaven barren.
O my child, my darling one
I could not give thee even a drop of milk
No right have I to rejoice.
Poverty weeps within my doors forever
As my spouse and my child.
Who will play the flute?

 – Translated by Kabir Chowdhury

In what his contemporaries regarded as one of his greatest flairs of creativity, Nazrul Islam vastly contributed in profusely enriching ghazals in Bengali, transforming a form of poetry written mainly in Persian and Urdu. Nazrul Islam's recording of Islamic songs was a commercial success and created interest in gramophone companies about publishing his works. A significant impact of Nazrul Islam's work in Bengal was that it made Bengali Muslims more comfortable with the Bengali arts, which used to be dominated by Bengali Hindus. His Islamic songs are popular during Ramadan in Bangladesh. He also wrote devotional songs on the Hindu Goddess Kali. Nazrul Islam also composed a number of notable Shyamasangeet, Bhajan and Kirtan, combining Hindu devotional music. In 1928, Nazrul Islam began working as a lyricist, composer, and music director for the Gramophone Company of India. The songs written and music composed by him were broadcast on radio stations across India, including on the Indian Broadcasting Company.

Naari (Woman)

I don't see any difference
Between a man and woman
Whatever great or benevolent achievements
That are in this world
Half of that was by woman,
The other half by man.

 – Translation by Sajed Kamal

Nazrul Islam believed in the equality of women, a view his contemporaries considered revolutionary, as expressed in his poem Naari (women). Nazrul Islam's poems strongly emphasised the confluence of the roles of both sexes and their equal importance to life. His poem "Barangana" (Prostitute) stunned society with its depiction of prostitutes who he addresses in the poem as "mother". In the poem, Nazrul Islam accepts the prostitute as a human being first, reasoning that this person belonged to the "race of mothers and sisters"; he criticises society's negative views on prostitutes.

An advocate of women rights, Nazrul Islam portrayed both traditional and nontraditional women in his work. He talked about the working poor through his works such as the poem: 'Poverty' (Daridro).

Nazrul Islam wrote thousands of songs, known collectively as Nazrul Geeti. The exact number is uncertain. The complete text of 2,260 is known, and the first lines of 2,872 have been collected, but according to musicologist Karunamaya Goswami, it is popularly believed that the total is much higher. Goswami has written that some contemporaries put the number near 4,000.

Religious beliefs

Nazrul Islam was born a Muslim, but engaged in religious syncretism so often such that he was seen by laymen as only a proud pluralist. Nazrul Islam wrote an editorial in Joog Bani in 1920 about religious pluralism,

Come brother Hindu! Come Musalman! Come Buddhist! Come Christian! Let us transcend all barriers, let us forsake forever all smallness, all lies, all selfishness and let us call brothers as brothers. We shall quarrel no more.

— 

In another article entitled Hindu Mussalman, published in Ganabani on 2 September 1922, he wrote that the religious quarrels were between priests and Imams and not between laymen Muslims and Hindus. He wrote that the Prophets had become property like cattle but they should instead be treated like a light that is for all men.

Kazi Nazrul Islam in Sitakunda, Chittagong District in 1929.

Nazrul Islam criticised religious fanaticism, denouncing it as evil and inherently irreligious. He wrote about human equality in his writings. He also explored the philosophy of the Qur'an and Muhammad by writing about them. Nazrul Islam has been compared to William Butler Yeats by Serajul Islam Choudhury, Bengali literary critic and professor emeritus at the University of Dhaka, for being the first Muslim poet to create imagery and symbolism of Muslim historical figures such as Qasim ibn Hasan, Ali, Umar, Kamal Pasha, and Muhammad. His condemnation of extremism and mistreatment of women provoked condemnation from Muslim and Hindu fundamentalists who opposed his liberal views on religion.

Nazrul Islam's mother died in 1928, and his second son, Bulbul, died of smallpox the following year. His first son, Krishna Mohammad, had died prematurely. Pramila gave birth to two more sons – Sabyasachi in 1928 and Aniruddha in 1931 – but Nazrul Islam remained grief-stricken and grieved for a long time. His works changed significantly from the rebellious exploration of society to a deeper examination of religious themes. His works in these years led Islamic devotional songs into the mainstream of Bengali folk music, exploring the Islamic practices of namaz (prayer), roza (fasting), hajj (pilgrimage), and zakat (charity). He wrote the song "O Mon Romzaner Oi Rozar Sheshe" on fasting during Ramadan. This was regarded by his contemporaries as a significant achievement, as Bengali Muslims had been strongly averse to devotional music.

Nazrul Islam was not limited to Islamic devotional music but also wrote Hindu devotional music. He composed Agamanis, Bhajans, Shyama Sangeet, and kirtan. Nazrul Islam wrote over 500 Hindu devotional songs. However, a section of Muslims criticised for writing Shyama Sangeet and declared him Kafir (infidel). On the other hand, he became displeased with some Hindus for writing devotional songs about Hindu goddesses because he was a Muslim. Nazrul Islam's poetry and songs explored the philosophy of Islam and Hinduism. Nazrul Islam's poetry imbibed the passion and creativity of Shakti, which is identified as the Brahman, the personification of primordial energy. He also composed many songs of invocation to Lord Shiva and the goddesses Lakshmi and Saraswati and on the love of Radha and Krishna. Nazrul Islam was an exponent of humanism. Although a Muslim, he named his sons with both Hindu and Muslim names: Krishna Mohammad, Arindam Khaled (Bulbul), Kazi Sabyasachi and Kazi Aniruddha.

Later life

In 1930, his book Pralayshikha was banned and he faced charges of sedition by the British Indian colonial government. He was sent to jail and released in 1931, after the Gandhi–Irwin Pact was signed. In 1933, Nazrul Islam published a collection of essays titled "Modern World Literature", in which he analyses different styles and themes of literature. Between 1928 and 1935, he published 10 volumes containing 800 songs, of which more than 600 were based on classical ragas. Almost 100 were folk tunes after kirtans, and some 30 were patriotic songs. From the time of his return to Kolkata until he fell ill in 1941, Nazrul Islam composed more than 2,600 songs, many of which have been lost. His songs based on Baul, jhumur, Santhali folksongs, jhanpan, or the folk songs of snake charmers, bhatiali, and bhaoaia consist of tunes of folk-songs on the one hand and a refined lyric with poetic beauty on the other. Nazrul Islam also wrote and published poems for children.

Nazrul Islam's success soon brought him into Indian theatre and the then-nascent film industry. His first film as a director was Dhruba, which made him the first Muslim director of a Bengali film. The film Vidyapati (Master of Knowledge) was produced based on his recorded play in 1936, and Nazrul Islam served as the music director for the film Patalpuri and Gora, (adaptation of Tagore's novel). Nazrul Islam wrote songs and directed music for Sachin Sengupta's biographical epic play based on the life of Siraj-ud-Daula. He worked on the plays "Jahangir" and "Annyapurna" by Monilal Gangopadhyay. In 1939 Nazrul began working for Calcutta Radio, supervising the production and broadcasting of the station's musical programs. He produced critical and analytic documentaries on music, such as "Haramoni" and "Navaraga-malika". Nazrul Islam also wrote a large variety of songs inspired by the raga Bhairav.

Illness and death

As per a wish expressed in the Nazrul Geeti "Mashjideri Pashe Amar Kobor Dio Bhai" (Bury me next to the mosque, brother), Kazi Nazrul Islam is buried beside the Central Mosque of the Dhaka University

Nazrul Islam's wife Pramila Devi fell seriously ill in 1939 and was paralysed from the waist down. To provide for his wife's medical treatment, he mortgaged the royalties of his gramophone records and literary works for 400 rupees. He returned to journalism in 1940 by working as chief editor for the daily newspaper Nabajug ('New Age'), founded by the Bengali politician A. K. Fazlul Huq.

On hearing about the death of Rabindranath Tagore on 8 August 1941, a shocked Nazrul Islam composed two poems in Tagore's memory. One of the two poems, "Rabihara" (loss of Rabi, or without Rabi), was broadcast on the All India Radio. Within months, Nazrul Islam himself fell ill and gradually began losing his power of speech. His behaviour became erratic, he started spending recklessly and fell into financial difficulties. In spite of her own illness, his wife constantly cared for her husband. However, Nazrul Islam's health had seriously deteriorated and he grew increasingly depressed. He received treatment under homeopathy as well as Ayurveda, but little progress was achieved before mental dysfunction intensified and he was admitted to a mental asylum in 1942. Spending four months there without making progress, Nazrul Islam and his family began living a quiet life in India. In 1952, he was transferred to a psychiatric hospital in Ranchi. Through the efforts of a large group of admirers who called themselves the "Nazrul Treatment Society", Nazrul Islam and Pramila were sent to London, then to Vienna for treatment. The examining doctors said he had received poor care, and Dr. Hans Hoff, a leading neurosurgeon in Vienna, diagnosed that Nazrul Islam had Pick's disease. His condition was judged to be incurable, Nazrul Islam returned to Calcutta on 15 December 1953. On 30 June 1962 Pramila died, and Nazrul Islam remained in intensive medical care. He stopped working due to his deteriorating health.

Despite receiving treatment and attention, Nazrul Islam's physical and mental health did not improve; and Nazrul Islam soon died from his long-standing ailments on 29 August 1976. In accordance with a wish he had expressed in one of his poems, he was buried beside a mosque on the campus of the University of Dhaka.

Controversy has been reported around the funeral of Nazrul Islam. Nazrul Islam's sons requested the Bangladesh High Commission in Delhi to arrange for the return of their father's body to India by an aircraft so that he be buried beside their mother's grave as per her last wishes. A space had been reserved for his burial next to her grave in the poets native village, Churulia. When the sons arrived in Dhaka for the last rites, they found that they were completed without their attendance and that the poet had been buried in Dhaka University. Popular demand continues in West Bengal for the poet to be buried back in India.

Bangladesh observed two days of national mourning, and the Parliament of India observed a minute of silence in his honour.

Criticism

According to literary critic Serajul Islam Choudhury, Nazrul Islam's poetry is characterised by abundant use of rhetorical devices, which he employed to convey conviction and sensuousness. He often wrote without care for organisation or polish. His works have often been criticised for egotism, but his admirers counter that they carry more a sense of self-confidence than of ego. They cite his ability to defy God, or rather orthodox conceptions of God, yet maintain an inner, humble devotion to Him. Nazrul Islam's poetry is regarded as rugged but unique in comparison to Tagore's sophisticated style. Nazrul Islam's use of Persian vocabulary was controversial, but it increased the range of his work.

Legacy

Main article: List of things named after Kazi Nazrul Islam
Nazrul Academy in Churulia, Asansol, West Bengal, India which is also the birthplace of Kazi Nazrul Islam.
Kazi Nazrul Islam on stamp of Pakistan
Kazi Nazrul Islam on stamp of Pakistan
Kazi Nazrul Islam on stamp of India
Kazi Nazrul Islam on stamp of India

On 24 May 1972, the newly independent nation of Bangladesh brought Nazrul Islam to live in Dhaka with the consent of the Government of India. The government of Bangladesh conferred upon him the status of "national poet" in 1972. However it was officially gazetted in 2024. In February 1976, during his stay in Bangladesh, he was awarded Bangladeshi citizenship.

He was awarded an Honorary D.Litt. by the University of Dhaka in 1974 and in 1976 he was awarded the Ekushey Padak by the President of Bangladesh Justice Abu Sadat Muhammad Sayem. Many centres of learning and culture in Bangladesh and India had been founded and dedicated to his memory. The Bangladesh Nazrul Sena is a large public organization working for the education of children throughout the country. The Nazrul Endowment provides funding for research into the life and work of Kazi Nazrul Islam in U.S. Universities like California State University, Northridge and Connecticut State University. Nazrul was awarded the Jagattarini Gold Medal, the highest honour for work in Bengali literature by the University of Calcutta, in 1945 and was awarded the Padma Bhushan, the third-highest civilian award of India, in 1960.

Nazrul Square in DC Hill Park in Chittagong City.

Nazrul Islam's works for children have won acclaim for his use of rich language, imagination, enthusiasm, and an ability to fascinate young readers. Nazrul is regarded for his secularism. His poetry has been translated to several languages including English, Spanish, and Portuguese. The Uzbek poet Erkin Vohidov wrote an epic poem about Nazrul Islam entitled Ruhlar isyoni (The Rise of the Spirits). A major avenue is named after him in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Kazi Nazrul University in Asansol, West Bengal, India is named after him and Kabi Nazrul College In Birbhum, West Bengal. Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University in Mymensingh, Bangladesh is a public university named after him. Kabi Nazrul Government College in Dhaka, Bangladesh is also named after him. There is a cultural institution called Nazrul Academy, which is spread throughout Bangladesh. Kazi Nazrul Islam Airport in Andal, West Bengal, is India's first private greenfield airport. A chair has been named after him in University of Calcutta and the Government of West Bengal has opened a Nazrul Tirtha in Rajarhat, a cultural centre with library, auditorium and movie theatre dedicated to his memory. On 25 May 2020, Google celebrated his 121st birthday with a Google Doodle. On 20 November 2020, a documentary film about Kazi Nazrul Islam was released in Dhaka titled Biography of Nazrul. There is a metro station named "Kavi Nazrul" on Blue Line of Kolkata Metro. Nazrul Mancha is a auditorium of kolkata.

See also

References

Notes

  1. Birth name Ashalata Sengupta.
  2. 11 Jaistha 1306 Bengali Year.
  3. Multiple references:

Citations

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  2. ^ Chakravarty, Basudha (1968). Kazi Nazrul Islam. National Biography Series. New Delhi: National Book Trust, India. p. 1. OCLC 837539518. Kazi Nazrul Islam was born on Jaistha 11 of the Bengali year 1306, corresponding to May 24, 1899 at village Churulia in Burdwan district of what is now West Bengal.
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Kazi Nazrul Islam
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  • Jhilimili (1930)
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