Kazi Nazrul Islam is a major Bengali poet and musician of the 20th century. The abundance of creation in his literary life of only 23 years is unparalleled. Although he wanders in various branches of literature, his main identity is a poet.
His life began in humble circumstances. He joined the British Indian Army in 1917 AD before graduating from school. Born in a Muslim family and initiated into Islamic education as a child, he grew up with a secular identity. At the same time a rebellious being developed within him. In 1922 he was imprisoned by the British government for sedition. He became known as the rebel poet of undivided India under the British Empire.
Nazrul, who was famous for his well-built body, immense health and lively smile, suddenly ended all his activism in 1942 when he was stricken with a fatal nervous illness. As a result, he had to remain completely isolated from literary work for a long period of 34 years until his death in 1976. In 1972, he was transferred with his family from Kolkata to Dhaka in the production of Bangladesh government. In 1976, he was granted the nationality of Bangladesh. He died here.
The status and importance of Kazi Nazrul Islam is immense in the minds of Bengalis of the 20th century. He is given the status of “National Poet” in Bangladesh. The popularity of his poems and songs is overwhelming among Bengali speaking readers. His humanity, rebellion against colonial exploitation and deprivation, opposition to religious fundamentalism and respect for the equality of men and women have played a role in the formation of the Bengali psyche for the last one hundred years.
