Nazrul’s speeches inspiration of unity against misdeeds: seminar

Academics at a seminar in Dhaka on Tuesday stressed the need for taking lessons from the speeches of the National Poet, Kazi Nazrul Islam, to unite against misrule and misdeeds worldwide.

‘Nazrul established the ideas and tradition of pro-people literature. He can be a source of inspiration for us,’ eminent essayist and professor of Bengali at Dhaka University Begum Akter Kamal told the seminar.

Bangla Academy organised the seminar, styled ‘Speeches by Poet Nazrul’ as part of the 109th birth anniversary programmes at the academy.

‘A total of 14 speeches of Nazrul are available in the volumes of Nazrul’s complete works. These speeches are

the reflections of Nazrul’s political, literary, youth and autobiographical beliefs and spirits,’ Akter Kamal said presenting the keynote at the seminar chaired by Nazrul scholar Mustafa Nur-ul Islam. Professor Mahbub Sadique and Bangla Academy director general Syed Mohammad Shahed also spoke at the function.

Mustafa Nur-ul Islam said Nazrul’s songs and poems are essential for us when we are in the battle filed or in the custody.

Kazi Nazrul Islam also provided the countrymen with clear ideas and thoughts about their national entities in his speeches as well as writings.’

Mahbub Sadique said, ‘Nazrul as a poet will survive thousands of years as his songs and poems are very much connected with people’s entity.’

Syed Mohammad Shahed said, ‘To pay tribute to the poet, who had memories with Bardwan building of the academy, a room in the building has been named as Nazrul Room.’

The seminar was followed by a cultural function in which eminent Nazrul singers Yasmin Mushtari, Sharmin Sathi Islam, Sujit Mustafa and Khairul Anam Shakil sang Nazrul songs.