Ensure triumph of humanity over fundamentalism

President tells Nazrul's birth anniversary programme

25 May 2010, 18:00 PM

Unb, Trishal

President Zillur Rahman speaks at the inaugural function of the celebrations marking the 111th birth anniversary of Kazi Nazrul Islam at Darirampur High School 'Nazrul Mancha', in Trishal, Mymensingh yesterday. Photo: PID

President Zillur Rahman yesterday said dreams of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam could be fulfilled through ensuring the triumph of humanity over fundamentalism and ending oppression and deprivation along side improving conditions of the poor people. “He (Nazrul) was a free spirit in the world of creations and the next generation got inspiration from his free thoughts,” he said at a function at Darirampur High School 'Nazrul Mancha', marking the 111th birth anniversary of the rebel poet. LGRD Minister Syed Ashraful Islam was the special guest at the function, organised by the Ministry of Cultural Affairs. State Minister for Cultural Affairs Promod Mankin presided over the function, where Dr Karunamoy Goswami gave the Nazrul memorial lecture. Reza Ali MP, Begum Khilkhil Kazi and Cultural Affairs Secretary Hedayetullah Al Mamun also spoke at the function. Addressing the function as the chief guest, Zillur emphasised informing the new generation about Nazrul's multifaceted talent, patriotism and profound affection for the poor and universality. Proper respect could be shown to him through the implementation of his goal and objectives, he said. “So, I call upon all for combined efforts to remove hunger, poverty, illiteracy, injustice, oppression, conflict and prejudice,” Zillur said, adding: “Nazrul's creations will inspire us forever.” Mentioning Poet Nazrul's position above everything communal, he said on one hand he wrote Hamd and Naat explaining Towhid (belief in monotheism) and on the other he also had written Shyama Sangeet, Kirton and Bhazan for the Hindu community. “He (Nazrul) wanted welfare for all -- with non-communal spirit -- irrespective of caste, creed and colour,” he said, adding that in the history of modern Bengali poetry, Nazrul had been able to present in his writings the traditions and culture of both Hindus and Muslims with complete ease and clarity. Mentioning Nazrul's contributions to Bangla literature and culture, Zillur said his literature, especially poems and songs, had been a great source of inspiration for the people during the War of Liberation in 1971. He said poet Nazrul first raised the demand for the full freedom in his article titled 'Bangaleer Bangla'. The president recalled that Bangbandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the architect of independent and sovereign Bangladesh, once termed Nazrul as the designer of rebellious soul of Bangla and historically independent spirit of the Bangalee. He said Nazrul's creative talent was able to visualise and express the holistic spirit of Bengal and for that he is called the poet of Bengal, the National Poet of Bangladesh.”