Nazrul: The rebel in pursuit of freedom for the masses
Nazrul Academy held a discussion and cultural programme to pay tribute on the occasion of the National Poet's 102nd birth anniversary

EMINENT Nazrul scholars stressed the need for delving out Nazrul's poetic spirit and rebellious vision in the wake of persisting socio-ethical deterioration and discrimination to establish social equilibrium, justice and equality. The discussants spoke out their views knowledge on the rebel poet at a discussion programme held by the Nazrul Academy at its Nazrul Bhaban on May 24 and 25 in the city to celebrate poet's 102nd birth anniversary.

On each day a cultural function featuring Nazrul songs, poetry recital and dance followed. The speakers urged to resort to Nazrul's teachings and revolutionary message of his work as a remedy for the malady of our bourgeois society and to bring about socio-religious equality and co-existence.

The second day of the discussion programme opened with poet and lyricist Sabir Ahmed Chowdhury in the chair alongwith eminent Nazrul exponent Khalid Hossain, Siddiqur Rahman, Dr Ashraf Siddiqui, Abu Zafar Ahmed Rasul and the General Secretary of Nazrul Academy, Mintu Rahman.

Abu Zafar Ahmed recited two of Nazrul's devotional poems from the collection of verse Kabya Ampara.

In his opening note, Mintu Rahman recapped some of his points that he had made on the previous day's programme saying, "Nazrul Academy is 35 years old; oldest of its kind in the country but its suffers severe financial constraint for the last three years. The academy has not enjoyed any government patronisation in the form of grant or aid." He made a demand that Nazrul's work should be prescribed in the Dhaka University syllabus. "There are drawbacks of various types that we suffer in practising Nazrul and disseminating his teachings and message of humanitarianism," he said further. Ideally Nazrul was above communalism, a patriot, a humanitarian and rebel. It may be noted here that Nazrul had a fearless voice for the downtrodden of the society. It was Nazrul who bravely sang the song of freedom of the masses in view of their socio-economic emancipation. He heroically rebelled against the colonial exploitation and suppression by the British colonisers in the then Indian sub- continent. People under the grip of colonial rule in this part of the world were deeply stirred by Nazrul's inspiring work comprising lyrics of rebellion.

Mintu also called upon all so that we do not indulge in factionalism and split Nazrul's ideals. He stressed upon the necessity of retaining purity of Nazrul is songs preventing its deliberate distortion.

Khalid Hossain claimed that Nazrul has composed many more lyrics than that of Rebindranath Tagore but still only eight or nine hundred of them have got printed. He said that cultivating Nazrul is facing problems. "Nazrul song has an individual character and he has created a different gharana in the domain of music," Khalid pointed out. He also said, "It is wrong to throw Nazrul away out of his own orbit of literary creed in the name of adopting the trend of the age. One must remain faithful to the original tune of Nazrul songs when one cultivates different genres of these songs. One successful Nazrul trainer has to be research-minded. He has to be duly respectful to the correct form of Nazrul songs."

Next Siddiqur Rahman who spoke, analytically viewing contemporary perspective of which Nazrul was a product. He said, "Nazrul's contemporary social milieu was marked with the clash between vice and virtue; good and evil; justice and injustice all that is still prevalent in today's society."

This very fact recommends Nazrul's necessity and relevance to today's society. "A versatile genius, Nazrul endured untold miseries throughout his life. He sustained sorrows extracted from his own life. Nazrul took part in the World War II towards its last phase. He fought in the Baghdad frontier hoping to experience sufferings and miseries of the toiling masses," he cited some historical events in the relation. "It is difficult to find any one, except Nazrul, who has reflected the very spirit of the Russian revolution in the Indian sub-continent. The British intelligence department termed Nazrul as 'a Bolshevik menace to India' in their report," Rahman continued.

He added, "The great war being over, Nazrul began working for The Dhumketu and The Nabajug. His writings were full of revolutionary messages that stirred up the spirit of freedom amongst the grass roots level toiling masses. This made the British government cautious of Nazrul and to keep an intensive watch on him. The Bitish Government intelligence used to keep a record of their reports called 'Bolshevic Diary' in which they noted, "Nazrul Islam has formed a formidable organisation in Comilla," hinting at his political activities there. He joined the Swaraj movement of Deshbandhu Chityaranjan and Subash Chandra Basu's 'Forward Block' from where he contributed to anti-colonial movement. Interestingly enough, though Nazrul had no direct involvement with any separatist political movement, but he did the groundworked for a mass upsurge against the British colonial rulers in the British-India through his fiery writings. The British government might be aware of Nazrul's behind the screen role against colonial exploitation made it apprehensive of a revolution. As a consequence, Nazrul was subjected to frequent imprisonment and other rigorous treatment. But his was an indomitable soul yielding to no intimidation. Even while imprisoned, he composed anti-establishment poems like "Karar Oi Louha Kapat Bhenge Phel Korrey Lopat."

Dr. Ashraf Siddiqui spoke from the audience row reminding that Nazrul and Rabindranath are equally honoured in the Barak valley of neighbouring state of Assam in India. He said, "Though history, it is not in the common knowledge that apart from that in 1952 in Bangladesh, another language movement that wanted to establish Bangla as an official language took place in July 1961 in the valley of Barak comprising Karimgonj, Hailakandi, Shilchar and Haplong." Nazrul's work is taught in the University of Assam.