Ever heard of Kazi Nazrul Islam?

Everyone has their opinion on which historical person should have been born in the current time. In parties, news debates and school competitions, this is often a favourite topic.

Many would vote for Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the nation, while some would mention Iron Man Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel and many might also name Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. But being a poet myself, I would vote for Kazi Nazrul Islam.

Now, many might be reading this name for the very first time. And they will surely ask what great work can a poet do apart from his literary kavya?

Allow me to answer your questions and reaffirm my claim on why Kazi Sahab is the man we need more than ever. Kazi Nazrul Islam after all is not just any ordinary poet. He is the voice of revolution and resilience. And within the very same breath, he is also one of the most pacifist souls this world will ever come across. 

His heart sang a song that composed a secular social fabric and established the foundation for a happy social order. In his iconic poem, Sammobadi which translates into the The Equaliser he writes:

“I hear no lie, O brother!

Bigger than this heart,

There is no temple-mosque another!”

It is this humanitarian voice of the ‘rebel poet’ that if heard today will surely galvanize India into the nation we all aspire to be. Celebrating Kazi Nazrul Islam’s 124^th birth anniversary, let us learn about the remarkable man and his endless contributions in countless fields.

Who is Kazi Nazrul Islam?

Kazi Nazrul Islam, also known as the “Rebel Poet,” was a remarkable figure in the realms of literature, music, and social activism. Born on May 25, 1899, in the village of Churulia, located in West Bengal, India, Nazrul’s life and works have left an indelible mark on the cultural and political landscape of Bengal.

Nazrul vehemently opposed injustice, inequality, and oppression, and his poetry became a rallying cry for freedom and empowerment. In 1922, Nazrul wrote his magnum opus, Bidrohi (The Rebel), a poem that instantaneously resonated with the masses and became an anthem of resistance during the Indian Independence movement. The rebellious spirit of Bidrohi reflected the voice of a generation seeking emancipation from colonial rule.

Nazrul’s contributions to music were also equally exceptional. He composed over 2,600 songs, encompassing a wide range of genres such as patriotism, social order, nature but also devotional compositions. Many do not know that Kazi Nazrul Islam is the man who introduced the Ghazal form in Bengali literature.

Beyond his artistic pursuits, Nazrul was an active participant in various political and social movements. He ardently supported the Non-Cooperation Movement led by Mahatma Gandhi, advocating for civil disobedience against British rule. Nazrul’s writings also reflected his unwavering belief in gender equality and women’s rights.

However, Nazrul’s life was not without hardships. His revolutionary spirit and outspoken nature led to numerous arrests and imprisonments by the British authorities. Furthermore, in his later years, Nazrul suffered from a debilitating illness called Pick’s disease, which gradually robbed him of his ability to speak and write. Despite these challenges, Nazrul’s spirit remained unbroken, and he continued to inspire generations through his unwavering determination and resilience.

A versatile personality!

Many do not know what a multi-faceted genius Kazi sahib was–from being the muezzin at a local mosque in childhood to a successful theatre artist and then a soldier posted in Karachi during the First World War to a popular journalist, musician and a poet with over 4000 songs.

Veteran Hindi and Bengali theatre actor and director Mr. Sukhangshu Chatterjee believes Nazrul is relevant even today. It’s because the poet spent most of his life in a period when the country was going through turmoil at various levels. He says, “The entire universe is going through various troubles today. If the world reads properly even some of Nazrul’s poems and hears his songs, I am confident we all will surely be able to see the right path.”

The thespian who works passionately for the upliftment of the under-priviledged through theatre mentions, “We all must see and admire Nazrul, the multi-faceted artist. He was a lover, a rebel, a preacher, a soldier and a musician. His usage of Urdu and Persian words make his poems distinct in Bengali literature. All his poems and songs carry varied messages. He mocked the caste system, protested against superstition and propagated secularism all throughout his life. Truly, what a legendary man!”

The actor who was famously seen as a football selector in one of Facebook’s recent ad exclaims, “Among Nazrul’s works Kandari Hoshiar (Beware Sailor!) is a verse that I feel all should read. The poet uses metaphor brilliantly in the poem. The passengers being ferried in a boat represent the society by large while the boatman stands for the individual citizen and his/her heart and mind. The poet asks the boatman to be cautious about the torrents of time and society and to carefully navigate his boat and fellow passengers to safety.” 

Mr. Chatterjee further adds that he is also a big admirer of Nazrul’s Shyama Sangeet i.e. the devotional songs worshiping Goddess Kali.

Further adding, Mr. Rathindra Mohan Biswas (parent of Apeejay School, Panchsheel Park alumnus) remembers Kazi Nazrul’s iconic poem Mora Ek Brinte dutu kusum Hindu-Musalman (We are two flowers from the same stalk Hindu-Muslim) by heart.  

The ardent admirer of Kazi Sahab mentions, “The rebel poet had a very open mind. He never believed in social stigmas and always protested against any injustice committed. The simplicity in his heart finds a big place in all his writings.” 

Mr. Biswas expresses, “Kazi Nazrul worked tirelessly for religious unity between Hindus and Muslims. He wrote that a mother treats both her sons equally. Similarly, both Hindus and Muslims should live like brothers with love, respect and value towards one another. Hence, I find his poem Mora Ek Brinte to be my favourite poem from his works.” He further adds, “The world needs such a large hearted person, and such a far-sighted poet today.  I pay my homage to the great soul on his birth anniversary.”

Come then, let us all explore this poet’s works and do our bit as boatmen to steer our society and even the larger world towards more kindness, happiness and an everlasting spirit of peace and security.

Long live poetry! Long live Kazi Nazrul Islam!