‘An inexhaustible source of inspiration’

The 45th death anniversary of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam was observed yesterday in a befitting manner.

Different political parties, and socio-cultural and professional bodies observed the day by paying tribute at the poet's grave on Dhaka University campus and by arranging discussions.

The poet passed away at the then PG Hospital, now Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, in the city in 1976. He was buried with state honour beside the Dhaka University Central Mosque.

Yesterday, the day's programme started with Quran-khwani after Fazr prayers at the DU Central Mosque.

Awami League leaders, led by its general secretary Obaidul Quader, who is also road transport and bridges minister, placed a wreath at the grave of the poet, reported BSS.

Besides, the party's associate bodies and pro-AL student organisations also paid homage to the national poet, maintaining social distancing.

Members of Bangladesh National Awami Party and Jatiya Ganatantrik Party also paid tribute to the poet at his grave, said separate press releases of the political parties.

Marking the day, teachers, students, officers and employees of DU held a procession, led by DU Vice Chancellor Prof Akhtaruzzaman, which proceeded towards the poet's grave at 7:15am, reports our DU correspondent.

They paid glowing tributes to the poet by placing wreaths at his grave. Later, at a discussion at DU, Prof Akhtaruzzaman termed Nazrul an "invaluable resource of Bengali language and literature" and the nation's "inexhaustible source of inspiration".

National Professor Rafiqul Islam said, "Nazrul's rebellious poems changed the course of Bengali poetry. Nazrul will always be remembered… as long as there is Bengali language and literature," he added.

Nazrul wrote nearly 3,000 songs and composed many of them, which are known as Nazrul-Geeti or Nazrul Sangeet.

The nation got inspiration from his poems and songs during the Liberation War and all democratic movements and struggles.