The nation observes the 44th death anniversary of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam on Thursday with due respect.

The poet breathed his last on 12 Bhadra, 1383 Bangla (August 29, 1976) in Dhaka at the age of 77. He was buried with full state honour beside the Dhaka University Central Mosque.

Nazrul, a man who enriched Bangla literature and music with his extraordinary genius, is also revered as Bidrohi Kobi (a rebel poet) for his activism for political and social justice.

His literary talent is also evident in his poems, short stories, essays and novels. He penned lyrics and composed music of about 4,000 songs, which are known as Nazrul Sangeet. This great literary and cultural icon was a blend of different forces in a rebellion, expressing rage as well as beauty, love and sensitivity.

Nazrul’s powerful poems inspired people to fight against the repression during the colonial rule while his songs and poems were also a great source of inspiration for the freedom fighters during the Liberation War of Bangladesh in 1971.

Different socio-cultural and political organisations are set to mark the day with various programmes commemorating the great poet.

Floral wreaths will be placed at the grave of the national poet in the morning on behalf of President Md Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Besides, Bangla Academy, Nazrul Institute, Dhaka University, Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University, Shilpakala Academy, Shishu Academy, and many other government and non-government institutions and cultural organisations will organise programmes on the occasion.

Most of the events will take place in virtual platform avoiding social gathering and maintaining social distance amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Kazi Nazrul Islam was born on 11 Jaistha of the Bangla calendar year 1306 (24 May, 1899) at Churulia village in Asansol subdivision of Burdwan district of West Bengal in the British India.