Rebel or revolutionary poet?
It is heartening to see the birthday of the National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam being celebrated with due fervour throughout Bangladesh and many places abroad. Nazrul's contribution towards the liberation of the subcontinent from the British rule is unquestionable and his literary works are intimately woven in the variegated tapestry of Bengali culture.
In this connection, I recall a festival in London on Nazrul's 100th birth anniversary where many diplomats spoke. The Indian High Commissioner (I cannot recall his name) while praising and acknowledging Nazrul's contribution said something which I think is very important. He said that with liberation and passage of a century, Nazrul has come of age and instead of labelling him as the 'rebel poet' we should elevate the terminology to "revolutionary poet". In Bengali it would be from "Bidrohi Kobi" to "Biplobi Kobi".
I entirely agree with this sentiment and wish the literati and the media would also be aware of such a necessity.
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