Kazi Nazrul Islam (1899-1976)

111th birth anniversary of a rebel poet

Kazi Nazrul Islam was born in a poor Muslim family on this day in 1899 at Churulia village in Bardhwan district of the Indian State of West Bengal. He received religious education at his boyhood and also worked as a Muazzin of a mosque of his locality. He learned of poetry, drama, and literature while he was working with theatrical groups.

Nazrul wrote a large number of poems and songs in his life. His fiery poems had inspired the people to fight against injustice and repression of the then British colonial rule. The fearless voice of the poet also earned him the wrath of the British rulers who had jailed him several times for igniting people's desire for independence.

After independence of Bangladesh, the Bangladesh government gave this great poet Bangladeshi citizenship. He died on August 29, 1976 and was buried in front of Dhaka University central mosque according to his last wish.