Editor's Pick

Of poetry and science

M. Zahidul Haque rediscovers Nazrul
28 May 2010, 18:00 PM
BOOK REVIEWS

Mohabiggani Kobi Nazrul
Krishibid Rafiqul Islam Chowdhury
Chhayaneer, Tangail

THE book under review, although a small publication, yet contains some important observations on our national poet, Kazi Nazrul Islam, who is popularly known as the Rebel Poet. We know that Nazrul Islam was a genius with versatile talents. Till now much research on the literary aspects of the poet's outstanding works has been conducted and a lot of unknown findings have also been released. But as far as this reviewer's knowledge goes, no research has so far been undertaken to explore the scientific aspects of Nazrul's wonderful poetic creations. The author of the work Mohabiggani Kobi Nazrul undertook research work to explore the scientific messages hidden in the poetic verses of the great poet. As revealed by the author, it was Poet Nazrul who hinted at the arrival of the mobile phone (or mutho phone) in his famous poem Sangkalpo:
"BISHSHAW JOGOT DEKHBO AAMI
AAPON HATER MUTHOYE PURE…." (I shall see the universe by capturing it in my own hands…) Nazrul's above verse contains important scientific information and guidelines, which have now become a reality! The proof is today's mobile phone, internet network. Now we have succeeded in capturing the entire universe within our communication system, that is, within our hands through the application of internet and mobile phone technology. While investigating the insight of Nazrul's work philosophy, the author discovered the great poet's in-depth knowledge about the firmament. Pointing to the infinity of space, the poet said: "SHUNNE MOHA-AKASH
MOGNO LILA-BILASHE
BHANGGICHO GORICHO
NITI KHONE KHONE….." In the firmament, the process of construction and destruction is going on continuously. The temperature at the centre of the sun is 1.5 crore degree celcius. In order to generate this heat sixty crore tons of hydrogen are burnt every second. The sun is a star and in every star this process of construction and destruction goes on. And the poet through his above verses indicated this natural phenomenon. This finding suggests that Nazrul was a firmament-observant scientist too. There are many more startling facts and scientific connections revealed by the author about the scientific thoughts reflected in the poetic works of Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam. The book is full of scientific information used by the author to interpret the hidden messages in the poems of the great poet. There is hardly any doubt that readers will find the book quite informative, interesting and thought-provoking. Comments on the work have come from a number of distinguished personalities, among whom are Ashraf Siddiqui, Chairman, Nazrul Academy and former Director General, Bangla Academy; Prof. A A M S Arefin Siddique, Vice Chancellor, Dhaka University; Prof. Dr. Md. Shah-E-Alam, Vice Chancellor, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, who have given messages of good wishes appreciating Krishibid Rafiqul Islam Chowdhury's book 'Mohabiggani Kobi Nazrul', calling it a unique work which opened a new vista of Poet Nazrul's outstanding talents.
Professor M Zahidul Haque is associated with Sher-e-Bangla Agricutural University, Dhaka.

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