Unbound devotion in Nazrul's Hamd and Naat

National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam left a diverse musical legacy. His outpouring of spiritual passion was evident in the composition of timeless devotional genres: be it Hamd, Naat and Islamic songs or Shyama Sangeet, Kirtan and Bhajan is evocative of surrender to the Almighty. Nazrul sang the songs of the human spiritual quest irrespective of religion, caste and creed. His composition of Hamd, Naat and Islamic songs are many. “Ami Jodi Arab Hotam”, “Bishwa Dulali Nabi Nandini” “Bokkhe Amar Kaba'r Chhobi”, “E Kon Modhur Sharab Dile”, “Hey Modinabashi Premik”, “Hey Priyo Nabi Rasul Amar”, “Khodari Premer Sharab Piye”, “Mohammad Mor Noyonmoni”, “Mohammad Nam Jotoi Jopi” “Moru Shahara Aji Matoara”, “Naam Mohammad Bol Re”, “Taufiq Dao Khoda Islam-e” are a few examples. 

Noted Nazrul sangeet artistes MA Mannan and Yasmin Mushtari recently shared their thoughts on Nazrul's devotional lyrics with The Daily Star. Excerpts:

MA Mannan

It is astounding how Kazi Nazrul Islam composed such a wide variety of devotional songs that equally moved people of both Muslim and Hindu communities. The hymns that state the accolades of the Almighty are Hamd while the numbers that eulogise Prophet Muhammad SM (PBUH) are Naat-e-Rasul. The genres are generally rendered without the accompaniment of any instrument. Nazrul's creation of Islamic songs always stirs our spiritual passion.

Nazrul is a symbol of humanity, a great human soul. It's a wonder that he enriched almost every aspect of Bangla music. The lyrics and tune of Nazrul's songs -- “Saharate Phutlo Re Phul”, “Mohammad Naam Jopechhili Bulbuli Tui Agey” and “Amina Dulal Nache Halimar Kol-e” -- have a soothing effect that moves everyone. Many mistakenly incorporate Nazrul's ghazal compositions with his devotional songs. A ghazal rather represents all the forms of higher love, either human or spiritual.

Yasmin Mushtari

Nazrul sang for mankind. He sang of their desire for embracing eternity or the Ultimate. Our nation consists of people of different religions, castes and clans and Nazrul tried to unite all through his songs. His creations teach us how to love and respect all human beings. This is wonderful because it makes us think of shaking off the paths of hostility, aggression, violence and bloodshed. The use of similes and metaphors in Nazrul's songs is subtle. Say for example, “Ami Dekhbo Kokhon Amar Eid-er Chand Mustafa Ke” metaphorically represents Prophet Muhammad (SM) as the moon. Again, there are many such examples in the songs “Mohammad-er Naam Jopechhi” like “Mor Nobi Re Lukiye Dekhe, Taar Peshanir Jyoti Mekhe, Ore Chand Rangli Ki Tui Gabhir Onurag-e”.

The essence of Nazrul's lyrics strikes me and brings tears to my eyes. Nazrul was a poet of humanity who called for harmony instead of religious extremism.