DHAKA, May 25, 2026 (BSS) - The 127th birth anniversary of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam was celebrated across the country today in a befitting manner.

A poet, novelist, lyricist, composer, playwright and journalist, Kazi Nazrul, is one of the most celebrated cultural icons of the nation.

His fiery poems had made him a rebel poet and encouraged the subjugated mass people to fight against repression and injustice of the British colonial rule.

And the nation got inspirations from his poems and songs during the Liberation War and all democratic movements and struggles.

Besides, Nazrul's raga based songs had developed their taste and inspired them to experience the eternal beauty of love.

President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman issued separate messages on Sunday paying glowing tributes to the poet.

National celebration of Nazrul’s birth anniversary was held in Trishal, Mymensingh this year.

On May 23, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman inaugurated a three-day gala national programme titled “Tobu Amare Debe Na Bhulite” at the Nazrul Mancha at Nazrul Academy in Trishal marking the anniversary.

He declared the next one year from May 25, 2026 to May 25, 2027 as “Nazrul Year”.

The Premier also asked cultural affairs and tourism ministries to explore the possibility of declaring Trishal as a “Nazrul City” through feasibility studies.

He handed over the ‘Nazrul Padak’ and honorary crests to two distinguished individuals in recognition of their special contributions to Nazrul research and the poet’s philosophy of life. A three-day Nazrul Fair was also held on the Nazrul Mancha premises in Trishal.

In the capital, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy organised a three-day programme from May 22 to May 24 marking the anniversary.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swap0n attended the opening event as the chief guest at the National Theatre Hall auditorium on May 22.

The closing ceremony of the national event titled "Droher Kobi, Praner Kobi" was held at the National Theatre Hall of the academy, featuring music, poetry and dance performances based on the works of the National Poet on Sunday.

Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury attended the programme as the chief guest.

Dhaka University (DU) organised a memorial meeting on the premises of the National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam’s grave next to the central mosque of the university on his birth anniversary today.

Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr ABM Obaidul Islam chaired the programme, while Bangla Academy Director General Prof Mohammad Azam delivered a commemorative lecture titled “Nazrul: The Poet of Rebellion, the Poet of the Soul.”

Teachers and students of the Music Department performed Nazrul songs at the event.

DU chalked out various programs marking the anniversary including paying tributes to the poet by placing wreaths at his grave and offering Fateha.

Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal’s DU unit also paid tributes to Nazrul by placing wreaths at his grave and offered prayers in the morning today.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General and Prime Minister’s Adviser Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, JCD General Secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir, JCD’s DU President GC Roy Shahos and General Secretary Nahiduzzaman Shipon were present, among others.

Various political, social and cultural organizations also paid tributes to Nazrul by placing wreaths at his grave.

Although National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam was born in Churulia of India’s West Bengal, an important chapter of his life-love in Cumilla remains deeply connected with his literary achievements.

Marking his birth anniversary, Cumilla district administration and Muradnagar upazila administration arranged a three-day programme from May 23 to 25 in Cumilla city and Daulatpur, widely revered as "Kabitirtha" (Pilgrimage of Poetry) due to its profound historical connection to poet Nazrul.

The three-day programme included discussions, cultural functions, poetry recitations and memorial events highlighting Nazrul’s life and contributions.

Several places in Cumilla still preserve the poet’s memories, including Indrakumar Sen’s house at Kandirpar, Dharmasagar par, Rani’s Dighi, Maheshangan, Darogabari, Town Hall maidan, the Chartha Rajbari of legendary musician Sachin Dev Burman and Nawabbari.

Nazrul researcher Dr Ali Hossain Chowdhury told BSS that a highly significant part of Nazrul’s life and literary works is closely linked with Cumilla.

He said Nazrul stayed in Cumilla for nearly 11 months in five phases between April 1921 and January 1924, which researchers consider a turning point in his life.

According to research findings, Nazrul joined a protest procession at Rajganj in Cumilla during a strike called by the Indian National Congress on November 21, 1921, protesting the arrival of the Prince of Wales in Kolkata.

Cumilla also played a major role in Nazrul’s personal life. His romantic and marital memories are associated with Nargis Asar Khanam of Daulatpur in Muradnagar and Ashalata Sengupta, later known as Promila, of West Kandirpar in Cumilla city.