The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Dhaka

Nazrul Institute is going to publish two rare manuscripts on national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam-one about British attitude towards the rebel poet and another on his songs, noted Nazrul scholar Prof. Rafiqul Islam said on Wednesday.

"One of the manuscripts is titled 'Nazrul Sangit Kosh' that contains Nazrul songs and relevant references compiled by Brammomohon Thakur of the West Bengal of India," he said while addressing a seminar here.

'British Raj and the Rebel Poet' would be the second manuscript, said Dr Rafiq.

He said the second text, written by Shishir Kar, would provide complete information on British attitude towards Nazrul based on the secret documents of then imperialist forces.

Dhaka Sub Editor's Council (DSEC) and the Daily Ittefaq jointly organised the seminar on 'Rabindra-Nazrul and the Modern Trends in Journalism' at the Jatiya Press Club.

DSEC president Shah Mohammad Motasim Billah chaired the function, which was also addressed by Ittefaq editor Rahat Khan, executive editor Syed Tosharaf Ali, Prof. AASM Arefin Siddiqui and Dr. Bishawjit Ghos of Dhaka University, journalist Arif-ud- Doula and DSEC general secretary Mohammad Al Mamun.

Prof Rafiq said the first manuscript would be a complete work on the songs of Nazrul, while the second one would be on British attitude towards the poet.

"It is my last wish to see these two manuscripts along with the second edition of a book on Nazrul by American scholar Winston Langley are published during my life," said Dr. Rafiq, also the vice chancellor of the private Liberal Arts University.

Other speakers in the seminar said both Nazrul and

Rabindranath Tagore had made tremendous contribution to Bangla journalism through their active involvement as editors in the periodicals and dailies.