In recent years, there has been a noticeable increase in interest in Kazi Nazrul Islam’s work among Kolkata’s poetry, literature, and music aficionados. Though the interest is not new, cultural organizations have recently made significant efforts to spread and popularise Kazi Nazrul Islam’s work. In this regard, the West Bengal Urdu Academy recently hosted a two-day Kazi Nazrul Islam Poetry Festival, which was organized by Chhayanat (Kolkata), Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan, and Infosys Foundation (Bengaluru). Al-Amin, a cultural organization, sponsored the event. The event was unique in that it honored Kazi Nazrul Islam’s work in fourteen languages.

On the first day, the 4th of June, there was poetry as well as literary discussion about Kazi Nazrul Islam’s work. Many notable figures from the cultural and academic worlds attended the event. Mr. Ahmad Hassan Imran (Editor Puber Kalom and Former Rajya Sabha Member), Dr. G.V. Subramanian, Dr. Sheikh Makbul Islam, Dr. Rezaul Karim, and Dr. Darakshan Zarin.

The event began with a message from Kalyani Kazi, Kazi Nazrul Islam’s younger daughter-in-law, read by the day’s anchor, Souvik Sasmal. It was followed by an Urdu poem written by Urdu poet Shushant Chattopadhyaya ‘Safeer’ as a tribute to Kazi Nazrul Islam. Somerita Mallik, President of Chhayanat (Kolkata), welcomed and congratulated the guests. Dr. Sheikh Makbul Islam moderated an insightful session on the ‘Influence of Kazi Nazrul’s work on Assamese Culture.’ Dr. Rezaul Karim, a senior Assamese researcher, highlighted many similarities in popular Assamese literature/culture that can be attributed to the influence of Kazi Nazrul Islam during the session. Ahmad Hassan Imran recited a Hindi song by Kazi Nazrul while also applauding Chhayanat’s efforts (Kolkata).

Dr. G.V.Subramanian of the Infosys Foundation expressed his delight that such an event is taking place and that it is contributing to the cultural landscape’s broadening. Dr.Darakshan Zarin emphasized the importance of Kazi Nazrul Islam’s work in world literature and recited a few lines from Kazi Nazrul Islam’s Bidrohi, an Urdu-translated historical poem.

Dr. R.Nakkeerar recited Kazi Nazrul Islam’s Tamil-translated poems. Shubhojit Roy recited Spanish-translated poems, while Supriti Chakraborti recited English and Hindi poems. G.M. Abu Bakar recited parts of the Bidrohi poem in Bengali, English, and Hindi. Balaka (Kolkata), Boikhori (Kolkata), and Shrutishoili (Medinipur) performed group recitations. Madhumita Basu, Nivedita Nag Tahabilder, Sarnava Roy, Asis Bandopadhyay, Aranya Spandan Bhadra, Tutun Das, Soumyajit Chandra, Swati Bandopadhyaya, Tista De, Rajrupa Banjha Chowdhury, Kamelia Chakraborty Nandi, and Debalina Chowdhury performed solo Bangla recitations.

On the second day, the guests present were Mr. Mainul Hassan, Dr. Sangeeta Laha Choudhury, and Bengali poet Sayed Hasmat Jalal. Translated poetry of Kazi Nazrul Islam in various languages was recited on the second day. Sudheshna Chatterjee recited in Sanskrit, Shreya Haldar in Odiya, Sanjiv Kumar Tiwari in Maithili, Zainab Khatoon in Urdu, Mathura Das, and Sk. Jewel Haque in Japanese. Dr. Sangeeta Laha Choudhry recited in three languages -Himachali, Punjabi, and Haryanvi. Dr. Rezaul Karim recited in Assamese.

Similar to the first day, group and solo recitation was done in Bengali. Groups Abahan, Balaka and Kabyapathik presented group recital. Solo recital in Bengali was done by Urmila Sen, Sudipa Roy, Indrani Lahiri, Mallika Roy, Sarmashita Hazra, Ashit Kumar Pal, Gopa Gupta, Azim Mandal, Trishita Saha, Debarati Das Sinha, Niladrikar Sinha, Madhuchanda Pal, Abir Ghosh, and Krishno Kathuria. Souvik Sasmal anchored the event.

A great initiative indeed!!