Special programmes on Kazi Nazrul’s 46th death anniversary

Today marks the 46th death anniversary of Bangladesh’s National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam. In honour of the great poet’s death anniversary, several political parties, socio-cultural, professional bodies, and TV channels will host special events and programmes, featuring discussion, songs, dances, and dramas authored by the Rebel Poet, on the occasion.

Cultural Affairs Ministry has decided to organise a discussion and cultural event at capital’s Rabindra Sarabar in Dhanmondi at 5.30pm today. Cultural Affairs Ministry Secretary Md Abul Mansur will attend as the chief guest of the event. Nazrul Institute trustee board Chairman and Nazrul Sangeet artist Khairul Anam Shakil will be the special guest. Nazrul Institute trustee board member Professor Begum Akter Kamal and Anam Shakil will speak at the event.

Dhaka University has also decided to host several events in commemoration of Kazi Nazrul’s 46th death anniversary. DU Vice-Chancellor Dr Md Akhtaruzzaman will lead a procession from the Oporajeyo Bangla monument at 7.15am which will pass through the university campus and culminate by placing floral wreaths on the grave of the poet near DU central mosque. Later on, a discussion event will be held at the poet’s grave premises presided over by DU Vice-Chancellor.

Chhayanaut, a cultural organisation devoted to the practice and preservation of the cultural heritage of Bangladesh, will also host a cultural event at capital’s Chhayanaut Sangeet Vidyatan auditorium at 7pm. The event will be aired live on their official Facebook page Chhayanaut and YouTube channel Chhayanaut Digital-Platform.

Machranga Television will air several special programmes on the occasion. Classical singer Priyanka Gop will perform at ‘Ranga Sakal’ show at 7 am. Based on Nazrul’s story, telefilm ‘Rakkhushi’ will be aired at 8:30 pm. Directed by Russo Rakib, the telefilm stars Sharmi Mala, Shahadat, Nazira Mou and many others. Renowned Nazrul Sangeet artist Khairul Anam Shakil will attend at a musical programme titled ‘Shithir atithi’ tonight at 10:30 pm. Presented by vocalist Shithi Saha, the programme was produced by Saiful Islam.

Channel i will also telecast several programmes marking the occasion. The film ‘Priya Tumi Sukhi Hou’ will be aired at 3.05pm. Directed by Geetali Hasan, the film is based on Kazi Nazrul Islam’s famous novel ‘Otripto Kamona’. The Impress Telefilm LTD production stars Ferdous Ahmed, Shayla, Bobby, Neelima, Zahid Shikder, Abu Saeed Khan, Sunny, Baby, Sarika, Rafi, Swarna and many others.

Kazi Nazrul Islam, who contributed to almost all the field of Bangla literature, was born in village Churulia of Bardhawan in West Bengal of India in 1899.

For his contribution to Bangla literature and culture, Dhaka University awarded him the honorary degree of DLitt in 1974. He was awarded Ekushey Padak in 1976. The poet breathed his last at the then PG Hospital, now Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University Hospital in the city, on 12 Bhadra (August 27) of Bangla calendar year in 1383 (August 29, 1976).

In accordance with a wish that he had expressed in one of his poems, he was buried beside the central mosque of Dhaka University.