DHAKA, May 25, 2023 (BSS) - The 124th birth anniversary of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam was observed in a befitting manner through various programmes in the country today.

People from all walks of life paid rich tributes to national poet.

Ministry of Cultural Affairs took elaborate programmes to mark the day at the national level. Different organizations and cultural bodies, including Dhaka University, took programmes to celebrate the day amid various functions.

President Mohammed Shahbuddin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages paying rich tributes to the memory of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam.
 
This year's theme of the day was 'Agnibinar Shatabarsha: Bangabandhur Chetanai Shanitarup'. 

The birth anniversary of the national poet was celebrated in the poet's memorable place Trishal in Mymensingh, Doulatpur in Cumilla, Tewta in Manikganj and Karpasdanga in Chuadanga and Chattogram.

The main programme of the birth anniversary was held at Darirampur of Trishal in Mymensingh. 

The three-day programmes (May 25-27) is being jointly organized by the cultural ministry and the local district administration. 

Deputy leader of the Jatiya Sangsad Begum Matia Chowdhury inaugurated the programme as the chief guest. 

Bangladesh Television, Bangladesh Betar and private television channels broadcast live telecast the inaugural ceremony and aired special programmes and print media brought out special supplements highlighting the birth anniversary of the national poet.

The ruling Awami League (AL) also paid glowing tributes to National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam by placing wreaths at his grave besides Dhaka University central mosque.

Led by AL General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader, the party's central leaders laid wreaths at the poet's mazar on the occasion.

AL Presidium Members Kazi Zafarullah, Shajahan Khan and Mostafa Jalal Mohiuddin, Joint General Secretary AFM Bahauddin Nasim, Organizing Secretaries Ahmed Hossain and SM Kamal Hossain, Science and Technology Affairs Secretary Engineer Abdus Sabur and Office Secretary Barrister Biplab Barua were present, among others.

The officials and employees at various levels of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, led by Cultural Affairs Ministry Secretary Khalil Ahmad, paid tribute to the poet's grave by placing wreaths.

Director General of Bangla Academy Muhammad Nurul Huda, Director General of Bangladesh National Museum Md Kamruzzaman, Director General of the Directorate of Archaeology Chandan Kumar Dey, Kabi Nazrul Institute Executive Director (Grade-1) A F M Hayatullah and officials of various departments and organizations under the ministry were also present there.

Earlier, in the morning under the leadership of the director general of Bangla Academy Nurul Huda, tributes were paid on behalf of the academy at the national poet's grave adjacent to the Dhaka University Central Mosque. 

Besides, tributes were paid to the Nazrul's portrait installed on the Nazrul Mancha of Bangla Academy here. The Bangladesh Chhatra League Kendrio Nirbahi Sangsad paid rich tributes to the national poet's grave.

Dhaka University Vice Chancellor Dr Md Akhtaruzzaman attended a commemorating discussion held on the Nazrul's graveyard premises, marking the 124th birth anniversary of national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam. 

Earlier, teachers, students and officials of the university brought out a colourful procession from Aparajeya Bangla sculpture premises at 6:30am and placed wreaths at the poet's grave on the university campus.

DU Pro-VC (Administration) Dr Mohammad Samad, DU treasurer Professor Mamtaj Uddin Ahmed, DU Teacher Association President Dr Nizamul Hoque Bhuiyan, DU Nazrul Research centre director Professor Sirajul Islam also addressed the discussion, conducted by DU Bangla department chairperson Dr Fatema Kawser. 

Kendrio Nazrul Academy organized a three-day programme to celebrate the birth anniversary of National Poet at Kazi Nazrul Islam auditorium at Nazrul Academy Building located at Moghbazar Mor's Belalabad Colony in the city.

Earlier in the morning, wreaths were laid to pay tributes to the poet and Surah Fateha was offer at national poet Nazrul's grave. 

Many distinguished personalities including Khilkhil Kazi, granddaughter of Kazi Nazrul Islam, paid tributes to the poet.

Kazi Nazrul was born on the 11th Joishtha in Bengali calendar year 1306 in Churulia, near Asansol in the Burdwan district of West Bengal.

He was famous for his fiery poem Bidrohi (The Rebel) and his many melodious songs. He was a poet, lyricist, musician, revolutionary and philosopher.
His father died in 1910 while he was still at school and he became the breadwinner of the family working for a bakery company, Wahid's, the most well known in north Bengal at that time.

He died here in 1976 and was buried beside the central mosque of Dhaka University.