Spreading the fervour of Kazi Nazrul Islam

I borrow the word 'fervour' from Nazrul Islam himself, as he wrote in the song 'Srijono chonde anonde nacho Nataraj' which, when translated, reads like this:

Oh Nataraj!
Dance to the joy of creation
Bury your fervour of destruction

But very few have been familiar with the details of the words coined and used by National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam. During his birthday and death anniversary programs, a few songs and poems are recited in the media. The lion share of his works remains undiscovered.

This was the crux of my conversation with Mr. Ekram Ahmed, the current Executive Director of the Nazrul Institute, in Dhanmondi, Dhaka. In an attempt to rouse consciousness on Nazrul, the Institute has taken up elaborate programmes this winter.

The National Conference started in Teota of Comilla. Teota (4-6 Dec, 2015) is the original abode of Mrs. Promila Nazrul, the wife of Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam who frequented these places during his lifetime. The occasion was inaugurated by the state Minister for Cultural Affairs, Mr. Asaduzzaman Noor with a befitting inaugural speech. Students of Nazrul Institute and Rebeka Sultana performed there. The main paper was read by Professor Mohitul Islam. Promila was born in Teota but due to early loss of her father, she was raised by her maternal Uncle in Comilla.

The conference started with a rally walking all around the city roads and the three day festival was made remarkable with both academic discussions and cultural rendition by local artists and those from Dhaka.

I happened to be one from Dhaka on the second day of the second conference held in Faridpur. This was from 22-24th January, 2016. Mr Habibullah Seraji read the main paper. Other discussants included Mr. Shamsuzzaman Khan, Director of Bangla Academy and Professor Nironjan Adhikari of Dhaka University.

Faridpur was mainly chosen for poet Nazrul Islam's closeness with poet Jasimuddin Ahmed who hailed from there. Set against a beautiful stretch of open land, the house of Jasimuddin has been preserved with due honour. Portraits of the poet and Jasimuddin have been enlarged and set up there on the wall. Nazrul had visited Faridpur 7/8 times and had written poems there. A couple of lines from the poem that Jasimuddin could remember were written there

'Akashete ekla dole Ekadoshi chand
Nodir teere dingi dhora pothik dhora phad'

The main programme was held in the Ambika Maidan where Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam had recited his poems and songs. It was a great moment for all of us, artists Fatema Tuz Zohra, Salauddin Ahmed, Yeakub Ali Khan, Shaheed Kabir Polash, Leena Taposhi Khan, K.A. Shakil, Babul Hossain new artists both from Nazrul Institute and Faridpur enthralled the audience.  

The next conference is to be held in Chuadanga from 11-13th March. The poet used to visit a village there named 'Karpashdanga'. The house still remains and may become a Nazrul heritage soon. Nazrul even brought his family from Krishno nagar and stayed in this house for a few weeks. After visiting East Bengal the poet had written in his poem "Tumi more bhuliacho" (Chokrobak)

Your voice rising from the heart of the night
Your face, your sad eyes I still seek
On the banks of the Padma river
I address you by so many names
Mahashweta, Shireen, Laili, Bakauli, Taj, Devi, Woman, Lover!
Do not get any response
The waves of Meghna hiss and swirl
Sometimes breaking the banks, sometimes all

We are so very fortunate to celebrate the life and works of Nazrul Islam.

The writer is an academician, Nazrul exponent and writer.