The 120th birth anniversary of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam is being celebrated today across the country in a befitting manner.

Different organisations and cultural bodies will organise programmes to celebrate the day.

The main programme will be hosted in Mymensingh’s Trishal upazila, where the poet had a lot of memoires. Education Minister Dipu Moni will attend the function as the chief guest.

This year’s theme of the anniversary is “Bangabandhu’s Bangladesh in Nazrul’s Conscience”.

Events will also be organised in Doulatpur of Cumilla, Tewta in Manikganj, Karpasdanga in Chuadanga and Chattogram.

In the capital, the programmes will begin with placing of wreaths at the poet’s grave beside the Dhaka University central mosque in the morning.

The Nazrul Institute and Shilpakala Academy will also organise programmes marking the day.

The poet’s birth anniversary will be celebrated at educational institutions across the country.

Bangladesh Television, Bangladesh Betar and private television channels will air special programmes and newspapers will bring out special supplements highlighting the poet’s life and works.

On the 11th Jaishtha in 1306 in Bangla calendar, Nazrul was born in Churulia near Asansol in West Bengal’s Burdwan district.

He was famous for his poem Bidrohi (The Rebel) and his many melodious songs. He was a poet, lyricist, musician, revolutionary and philosopher.

The nation drew inspiration from Nazrul’s poems and songs during the Liberation War and democratic movements and struggles.

There are 2,400 of his songs, and together they are known as Nazrul Geeti or Nazrul Sangeet.

After the country’s independence, Nazrul was declared the national poet and he was brought to Dhaka from Kolkata. He died here in 1976.