Rebel Poet's 116th birth anniversary

On the 11th of Jaistha, the second month in the Bangla calendar, an indomitable spirit was born. Kazi Nazrul Islam, the rebel poet of Bangla literature, composed poems and songs that still serve as a perennial source of inspiration for people fighting for justice.

The 116th birth anniversary of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam will be celebrated today. We, however, inadvertently referred the date as May 24 in a back page item of The Daily Star yesterday. We sincerely regret the mistake. 

The theme of this year's celebration is "Nazrul in Comilla", according to a press release by the cultural affairs ministry.

Although the day will begin with paying respect at the poet's mausoleum on the Dhaka University campus, Comilla would be the main venue of this year's commemoration, said the press statement.

Comilla has been fixed as the venue since the poet had a special connection with the district during his lifetime.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the programme to be held at the town hall premises in Comilla at 4:00pm.

Nazrul Institute and Bangladesh Shilpakala Acamedy will hold separate cultural programmes in the capital. Nazrul Institute and Bangla Academy will also bring out memorabilia and posters on the occasion.

In Mymensingh's Trishal, the Kobi Nazrul University is organising a three-day-long programme on the occasion to be inaugurated by Dr Kamal Abdul Naser Chowdhury, senior secretary of public administration ministry.

Kamal will also inaugurate Institute of Nazrul Studies today. On the third day, the university will confer awards on Prof Mustafa Nurul Islam for his research on the poet and singer Fatema-tuz-Zohra for her contribution to Nazrul Sangeet.

Media and different cultural and social organisations will also celebrate the day through special programmes.