The Kazi Nazrul Islam Institute has announced the recipients of the Nazrul Award for 2023 and 2024, reaffirming the enduring relevance of Kazi Nazrul Islam's spirit. Honouring excellence in Nazrul Sangeet, literature, and research, the awards follow the newly ratified Nazrul Award Guidelines 2024.

For Nazrul Award 2023, the honours go to: Professor Irshad Ahmed Shaheen, a distinguished researcher at the University of South Asia, recognised for his outstanding contribution to Nazrul scholarship. Alongside his academic work in English language and literature, Shaheen has spent decades deepening the understanding of Nazrul's legacy.

Rumi Ajnabi, a prominent singer and trainer, is celebrated for his exceptional work in Nazrul Sangeet, where his performances and mentorship have kept the poet's musical heritage alive.

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For Nazrul Award 2024, the laureates are: Abdul Hye Sikder, a noted Nazrul researcher and editor of Jugantor, acknowledged for his critical contributions to Nazrul studies and for championing the poet's message through journalism and research.

Nasim Ahmed, a veteran elocutionist and senior advocate at the Bangladesh Supreme Court, has been awarded for his powerful recitations of Nazrul's poetry, which continue to inspire new audiences.

Each award includes a silver medal, Tk 200,000, and an honorary crest — meaningful tokens that embody a deep, unseen dedication to the poet's ideals. This year, the decision to issue silver medals was deliberate, underlining a year charged with reflection and renewal.

The awards will be formally presented during the national celebrations marking the 126th birth anniversary of Kazi Nazrul Islam on May 25.

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Reflecting on the significance of the awards, Mohammad Latiful Islam Shibli, executive director of the Kazi Nazrul Islam Institute, said, "Against the backdrop of the revolutionary spirit that fuelled the mass uprising of '24 in this new Bangladesh, this year's Nazrul Award holds extraordinary significance." 

"Each of the awardees has spent a lifetime nurturing and promoting Nazrul's legacy. Through this recognition, the Nazrul Institute aims to further expand the reach of his spirit among the next generation," he added.