Nazrul birth anniversary observed in New Delhi

Kazi Nazrul Islam's multi-faceted talent as a litterateur remains an unknown commodity to the non-Bangali community and there is an urgent need to take him to a much wider international audience through English translation of his works.

Speaking at a function at the Maitree Hall of Bangladesh High Commission here to mark Nazrul's birth anniversary, Bangladesh's High Commissioner to India Syed Muazzem Ali said the artiste had written 6,000 songs but only half of them are conserved and only 300 of them set to music. 

There has not been much English translation of Nazrul's works and this effort needs to be taken up seriously, he said. “Even in India, Nazrul's works are unknown outside West Bengal,” Ali added.

He said Nazrul's poems and songs were a source of huge inspiration during the Bangladesh Liberation War and his works needed to be publicised for a much wider audience.

The hour-long function saw Delhi-based Nabarun Bhattacharya rendering ten songs of Nazrul including “Anjali Laho Mor”, “Money Porey Aaj Shey Kon Jonome Bidaye Sondha Bela”, “Bhoria Poran Sunetechi Gaan”, “Shawon Raatey Jodi”, “Rum Jhum Jhum Jhum”, 

“Karar Oi Lohuakapat”, “Chol Chol Chol”, “Bagichaye Bulbuli Tui” and “Shono Shono Ya Elahi”.  

Bhattacharya also recited excerpts from Nazrul's most popular poem “Bidrohi” and “Jodi Aar BaNshi Naa Bajey”.

Senior diplomats of Bangladesh High Commission, their families and some Indians enjoyed the “Nazrul Sandhya”.