The New Nation - Internet Edition

Special: Kazi Nazrul Islam’s 32nd death anniversary today

Entertainment Report

Today is Bhadra 12, 1415. The 32nd death anniversary of our national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam is today. He died on August 29, 1976.

To mark the day Nazrul Institute has organised a four-day long programmes. Children art, music and recitation competition on Nazrul was held at the Institute premises yesterday. Today the Nazrul Memorial Centre at Darirampur and Kazir Simla in Trishal in Mymensingh to be inaugurated by the Cultural Affairs Adviser Rasheda K Choudhury. Prof Rafiqul Islam, Chairman of Nazrul Instutute Trustee Board, Prof M Shamsur Rahman, Vice Chancellor of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam University, among others, will be present on the occasion.

Besides, BTV, Bangladesh Betar and different television channels and radio channels will broadcast and air various programmes to mark the day.

Kazi Nazrul Islam was a Bengali poet, musician, revolutionary and philosopher who pioneered poetic works espousing intense spiritual rebellion against orthodoxy and oppression. His poetry and nationalist activism earned him the popular title of 'Bidrohi Kobi' (Rebel Poet). Accomplishing a large body of acclaimed works through his life, Nazrul is officially recognised as the national poet of Bangladesh and commemorated in India.

Born into a poor Muslim family in May 25, 1899, Nazrul received religious education and worked as a 'muezzin' at a local mosque. He learned of poetry, drama, and literature while working with theatrical groups. After serving in the British Indian Army, Nazrul established himself as a journalist in Kolkata (then Calcutta). He assailed the British Raj in India and preached revolution through his poetic works, such as 'Bidrohi' (The Rebel) and 'Bhangar Gaan' (The Song of Destruction), as well as his publication 'Dhumketu' (The Comet). His impassioned activism in the Indian independence movement often led to his imprisonment by British authorities. While in prison, Nazrul wrote the 'Rajbandir Jabanbandi' (Deposition of a Political Prisoner). Nazrul's writings explore themes such as love, freedom, and revolution; he opposed all bigotry, including religious and gender. Throughout his career, Nazrul wrote short stories, novels, and essays but is best-known for his poems, in which he pioneered new forms such as Bengali ghazals. Nazrul wrote and composed music for his nearly 4,000 songs (including gramophone records), collectively known as Nazrul geeti (Nazrul songs), which are widely popular today. At the age of 43 (in 1942) he began suffering from an unknown disease, losing his voice and memory. What was later diagnosed as Pick's Disease, caused Nazrul's health to decline steadily and forced him to live in isolation for many years. Invited by the Government of Bangladesh, Nazrul and his family moved to Dhaka in 1972, where he died four years later.

Nazrul pioneered new styles and expressed radical ideas and emotions in a large body of work. Scholars credit him for spearheading a cultural renaissance in Muslim-majority Bengal, "liberating" poetry and literature in Bengali from its medieval mould. Nazrul was awarded the Jagattarini Gold Medal in 1945 - the highest honour for work in Bengali literature by the University of Calcutta - and awarded the Padma Bhushan, one of India's highest civilian honours in 1960. The Government of Bangladesh conferred upon him the status of being the 'National Poet.' He was awarded the Ekushey Padak by the Government of Bangladesh. He was awarded Honorary D.Litt by Dhaka University. Many centres of learning and culture in India and Bangladesh have been founded and dedicated to his memory. The Nazrul Endowment is one of several scholarly institutions established to preserve and expound upon his thoughts and philosophy, as well as the preservation and analysis of the large and diverse collection of his works. The Bangladesh Nazrul Sena is a large public organisation working for the education of children throughout the country.

TV Show: Dolon chapa on ATN Bangla

Entertainment Desk

Special programme on Kazi Nazrul Islam 'Dolon chapa' to be aired on ATN Bangla at 4:20pm today.

Poet Saiful Bari will moderate the programme, while poet Asad Chowdhury, Asadul Haque and Nazrul artiste Bulbul Moholanobish will take part in the discussion at the programme.

TV Watch: Special drama Tomari poriche mone tonight

Entertainment Desk

Special drama to mark the death anniversary of our national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam 'Tomari poreche mone' to be aired on Banglavision today.

Nahid Ahmed has scripted and directed the drama. Zitu Ahsan, Aupi Karim and Shams Sumon have performed in lead roles in the drama.

TV Show: Special dance show Se chole gechhe bole

Entertainment Desk

To mark the death anniversary of national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam Rtv will air special dance programme 'Se chole gechhe bole' at 5:20pm today.

Songs of Kazi Nazrul Islam, which were reflected on his (Nazrul) love, revolt and fascination on Arabic literature, will take place in the programme.

Kabirul Islam Ratan has given dance direction and Pradeep Bhattacharya has produced the programme.

Dhanshiri noditir pashe at Goethe Institute today

Entertainment Desk

Film 'Dhanshiri noditir pashe' based on the poems of eminent photographer Dr Nawajesh Ahmed to be presented at 6:30pm at the German Cultural Centre in the city today. The length of the film is 45 minutes. Chalachitram will arrange the show.

After presentation of the film, director of the film will face on the audience.

Celebrity News: Sara Zaker opens Prokritir Chhoya

Entertainment Desk

Noted television actress Sara Zaker inaugurated the second branch of boutique and fashion house 'Prokritir Chhoya' at the second floor of Central College Market in Mohammadpur in the city recently.

Two owners of the boutique hosue Md Awlad Hossain Sipon and Atia Afrin Silu.

The first branch was inaugurated one year ago.

Sara Zaker said, "The new outlet of Prokritir Chhoya will give a taste of local crafts and heritage to all."

Hollywood: Fourth 'Idol’ judge a straight-shooting hit maker

AP, New York

Scooching in between Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson sounds intimidating, if not a little scary. But Kara DioGuardi, the newly installed fourth judge on "American Idol," is confident she'll find her niche within the bickering, ratings-tested judges' panel where the line between love and hate is blurred with every critique.

"I'm just gonna speak to Simon the way I speak to everybody," DioGuardi told reporters during a teleconference Monday. "I'm just gonna have my opinion, be honest and I don't foresee any problems. I'm really excited about this, and up for the challenge."

The Grammy-nominated songwriter will make her debut when the eighth season of "Idol" premieres in January, the Fox network said Monday.

Bollywood : Riya Sen’s latest news

At last Riya Sen has decided to shed the minist and with it her glam image. Apparently, the damsel known for her sexy avatar is going to be more than demure in her first ever Bengali film Abohoman to be directed by Rituparno Ghosh. She plays a young daughter-in-law who is realistic, temperamental and fearless enough to stand up for her rights! "Riya hasn't worn any make-up - not even a hint of kohl," we're told. Let's wait and watch what this 'serious body of work' is going to be all about. - Agency