Vignettes from a lifetime

President Justice Abu Sadat Mohammad Sayem confers the Ekushey Padak on the National Poet in 1976

On the occasion of the 114th birth anniversary of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam, Bangladesh National Museum (BNM) and Nazrul Institute have jointly organised an exhibition featuring rare photographs of Nazrul, the poet's household articles and furniture, attires, a side-table, writing table, gramophone,kitchen ware, a collection of the manuscripts in the poet's own hand writing and 100 rare books. The exhibition is now on at Nalini Kanta Bhattashali Gallery of the museum.
Cultural Affairs Secretary, Dr Ranjit Kumar Biswas, ndc inaugurated the exhibition as chief guest on May 26. Executive director at the Nazrul Institute, Rashid Haider delivered the welcome speech while Prokash Chandra Das, director general of BNM delivered a speech on behalf of the museum. M Azizur Rahman, president of Bangladesh National Museum's Board of Trustees, presided over the programme.

Voices of poetry: The Palli Kabi beside the Rebel Poet in 1975

Around 78 images are on display at the exhibition. The images features places, personalities and objects connected with Nazrul. The photographs capture some memorable moments of the poet with his family members, national and international personalities, friends and admirers.
A number of striking images depict the poet amidst his family members, Nazrul on a walk in Kabi Bhaban Lawn, the poet in a PG hospital bed, next to Pramila's grave, with Humayun Kabir and others at the conference of Bangiyo Musalman Sahityo Samiti and more. Several photographs reveal the poet's close association with Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the then President Justice Abu Sadat Mohammad Sayem, poet Jasimuddin, politician and writer Mohammad Habibullah Bahar Chowdhury, writer Humayun Kabir and other distinguished personalities.
One of the images depicts the poet on his 74th birthday with his daughter- in- law Kalyani Kazi. A photo illustrates the poets return from the war in 1920.
The exhibition ends on May 31.