The poet, lyricist and composer
Dr. Md. Shairul Mashreque :
Like Tagore Kazi Nazrul Islam was a versatile genius with God gifted talents. He was a Rebel Poet. At times he used to compose romantic poems contributing to other compartment of Bengali literature like short story and essays. Kazi Nazrul Islam was prolific as a lyricist and composer of music. literally ‘music of Nazrul’ refer to the songs written and composed by Nazrul Islam a Bengali poet and National Poet of Bangladesh and active revolutionary during the Indian Independence Movement. Nazrul Sangeet/Geeti incorporates revolutionary notions as well as more spiritual, philosophical and romantic themes. Nazrul wrote and composed nearly 4,000 songs including Ghazals, Hamd and Nat.
Nazrul was prolific as a contributor to the composition of a robust list of songs. Between 1928 and 1935 he published 10 volumes containing 800 songs of which more than 600 were based on classical ragas. Almost 100 were folk tunes after kirtans and some 30 were patriotic songs. Many of songs composed by him have been lost. From the time of his return to Kolkata until he fell ill in 1942. To provide for his wife’s medical treatment, he resorted to mortgaging the royalties of his gramophone records and literary works for 400 rupees. In 1940, he returned to journalism by working as Chief Editor for the daily newspaper ‘Nabayug’ (New Age), founded by the eminent Bengali politician Sher-e-Bangla A. K. Fazlul Huq.
To cite an author “The Mass music and poems of Kazi Nazrul Islam have been widely used during the Indian Independence Movement and Bangladesh Liberation War. The music is highly motivational and revolutionary in nature with strong and powerful words and captivating tunes. It talks about the extremities of everything. The lyrics of those songs are provoking, as they talk against conservatism and about life on a broader parameter of philosophy and spirituality. The beauty of Nazrul’s mass music lies in the freedom of its expression, which also drew immense criticism. However, those who understood its philosophy praised the courage and straightforwardness.” His contribution to Shyama Sangeet also deserves mention. ‘He was thoroughly familiar with both Islamic and Hindu tradition and culture, and also he deeply cared about the harmony between Muslims and Hindus. Nazrul’s acquaintance with the tradition of Persian Ghazal was admittedly great. Ghazal was a form ‘very significant in the sense that it paved the base of his successful efforts in composing Bengali Ghazals which he undertook by 1927-28. Bengali Ghazal is, it can be mentioned outright, an innovation by Kazi Nazrul Islam alone. It served as the first mass-level introduction of Islam into the mainstream tradition of Bengali music.
In the realm of revolutinary and patriotic songs Nazrul attempted to disseminate revolutinary moorings with the use of strong and catchy tunes. Some of his revolutionary songs generating inspiration to the freedom fighters during War of Liberation in 1971 included among others : Karar oi louho kopat, Gago onoshono bondi othore joto / Jogoter lanchito bhagyohoto, Shikol pohra chhol modero e shikol pora chhol, Chol chol chol.
As a fan of Nazrul Songeet I myself listened numerous songs of the poet including the songs like Noyon vora jol go tomar anchol bhora phool, Ase bsonto phoolo bone, Mor priya hobe esho rani debo khopay tarar phool, Kaberi nodi jole ke go balika, Aji e srabono nishi kate kemone, Tora dekhe ja Amina mayer kole, Tribhuboner priyo Muhammad elo re duniay. Modhuro banshori baje, Momero putul momir desher meye neche jay, Lal tuk tuke bou zay, Touhider murshid amar, Amar ganer mala, Rum jhum jhum, Shaon asilo phire, Eto jol o kajol chokhe, Bholo priya bholo, Ekbar keno ager moto, Modhu phooler madhi , adho Adho bol, Bul bul nirab nargis bone, ognibina jhankare tumi aguner phool.
Notable playback singers in the subcontinent recorded Nazrul songs : Muhammed Rafi, Manobendra, Sandhya, Asa to mention a few.
His notable composition of music includes thus:
Dolan Chapa (name of a faintly fragrant monsoon flower), poems and songs, 1923
Bisher Bashi (The Poison Flute), poems and songs, 1924
Bhangar Gan (The Song of Destruction), songs and poems, 1924 proscribed in 1924
Chhayanat (The Raga of Chhayanat), poems and songs, 1925
Chittanama (On Chittaranjan), poems and songs, 1925
Samyabadi (The Proclaimer of Equality), poems and songs, 1926
Puber Hawa (The Eastern Wind), poems and songs, 1926
Sarbahara (The Proletariat), poems and songs, 1926
Sindhu Hindol (The Undulation of the Sea), poems and songs, 1927
Jinjir (Chain), poems and songs, 1928
Pralaya Shikha (Doomsday Flame), poems and songs, 1930 proscribed in 1930
Shesh Saogat (The Last Offerings), poems and songs, 1958
Among others connoisseur of music I am a fan of Nazrul geeti. True Nazrul geeti is very difficult to manage. The singer must have training in classical music to perform well in Nazrul geeti. His music based on Rag is ever shinning bacon. Many singers in West Bengal perfoming well in modern Bengali songs sang Nazrul songs. Notable among them are Manobendra, Sandhya, Anup Ghosal, Satinath. Notable singers of Nazrul Sangeet in West Bengal and Bangladesh are : Kamal Dasgupta, Juthika Roy. Kanan Devi, S. D. Burman, Chitta Ray, Firoza Begum, Ferdausi Rahman, Nilufar Yasmin, Sadya Afreen Mallick, Ferdous Ara, Shaheen Samad.
Like Tagore Kazi Nazrul Islam was a versatile genius with God gifted talents. He was a Rebel Poet. At times he used to compose romantic poems contributing to other compartment of Bengali literature like short story and essays. Kazi Nazrul Islam was prolific as a lyricist and composer of music. literally ‘music of Nazrul’ refer to the songs written and composed by Nazrul Islam a Bengali poet and National Poet of Bangladesh and active revolutionary during the Indian Independence Movement. Nazrul Sangeet/Geeti incorporates revolutionary notions as well as more spiritual, philosophical and romantic themes. Nazrul wrote and composed nearly 4,000 songs including Ghazals, Hamd and Nat.
Nazrul was prolific as a contributor to the composition of a robust list of songs. Between 1928 and 1935 he published 10 volumes containing 800 songs of which more than 600 were based on classical ragas. Almost 100 were folk tunes after kirtans and some 30 were patriotic songs. Many of songs composed by him have been lost. From the time of his return to Kolkata until he fell ill in 1942. To provide for his wife’s medical treatment, he resorted to mortgaging the royalties of his gramophone records and literary works for 400 rupees. In 1940, he returned to journalism by working as Chief Editor for the daily newspaper ‘Nabayug’ (New Age), founded by the eminent Bengali politician Sher-e-Bangla A. K. Fazlul Huq.
To cite an author “The Mass music and poems of Kazi Nazrul Islam have been widely used during the Indian Independence Movement and Bangladesh Liberation War. The music is highly motivational and revolutionary in nature with strong and powerful words and captivating tunes. It talks about the extremities of everything. The lyrics of those songs are provoking, as they talk against conservatism and about life on a broader parameter of philosophy and spirituality. The beauty of Nazrul’s mass music lies in the freedom of its expression, which also drew immense criticism. However, those who understood its philosophy praised the courage and straightforwardness.” His contribution to Shyama Sangeet also deserves mention. ‘He was thoroughly familiar with both Islamic and Hindu tradition and culture, and also he deeply cared about the harmony between Muslims and Hindus. Nazrul’s acquaintance with the tradition of Persian Ghazal was admittedly great. Ghazal was a form ‘very significant in the sense that it paved the base of his successful efforts in composing Bengali Ghazals which he undertook by 1927-28. Bengali Ghazal is, it can be mentioned outright, an innovation by Kazi Nazrul Islam alone. It served as the first mass-level introduction of Islam into the mainstream tradition of Bengali music.
In the realm of revolutinary and patriotic songs Nazrul attempted to disseminate revolutinary moorings with the use of strong and catchy tunes. Some of his revolutionary songs generating inspiration to the freedom fighters during War of Liberation in 1971 included among others : Karar oi louho kopat, Gago onoshono bondi othore joto / Jogoter lanchito bhagyohoto, Shikol pohra chhol modero e shikol pora chhol, Chol chol chol.
As a fan of Nazrul Songeet I myself listened numerous songs of the poet including the songs like Noyon vora jol go tomar anchol bhora phool, Ase bsonto phoolo bone, Mor priya hobe esho rani debo khopay tarar phool, Kaberi nodi jole ke go balika, Aji e srabono nishi kate kemone, Tora dekhe ja Amina mayer kole, Tribhuboner priyo Muhammad elo re duniay. Modhuro banshori baje, Momero putul momir desher meye neche jay, Lal tuk tuke bou zay, Touhider murshid amar, Amar ganer mala, Rum jhum jhum, Shaon asilo phire, Eto jol o kajol chokhe, Bholo priya bholo, Ekbar keno ager moto, Modhu phooler madhi , adho Adho bol, Bul bul nirab nargis bone, ognibina jhankare tumi aguner phool.
Notable playback singers in the subcontinent recorded Nazrul songs : Muhammed Rafi, Manobendra, Sandhya, Asa to mention a few.
His notable composition of music includes thus:
Dolan Chapa (name of a faintly fragrant monsoon flower), poems and songs, 1923
Bisher Bashi (The Poison Flute), poems and songs, 1924
Bhangar Gan (The Song of Destruction), songs and poems, 1924 proscribed in 1924
Chhayanat (The Raga of Chhayanat), poems and songs, 1925
Chittanama (On Chittaranjan), poems and songs, 1925
Samyabadi (The Proclaimer of Equality), poems and songs, 1926
Puber Hawa (The Eastern Wind), poems and songs, 1926
Sarbahara (The Proletariat), poems and songs, 1926
Sindhu Hindol (The Undulation of the Sea), poems and songs, 1927
Jinjir (Chain), poems and songs, 1928
Pralaya Shikha (Doomsday Flame), poems and songs, 1930 proscribed in 1930
Shesh Saogat (The Last Offerings), poems and songs, 1958
Among others connoisseur of music I am a fan of Nazrul geeti. True Nazrul geeti is very difficult to manage. The singer must have training in classical music to perform well in Nazrul geeti. His music based on Rag is ever shinning bacon. Many singers in West Bengal perfoming well in modern Bengali songs sang Nazrul songs. Notable among them are Manobendra, Sandhya, Anup Ghosal, Satinath. Notable singers of Nazrul Sangeet in West Bengal and Bangladesh are : Kamal Dasgupta, Juthika Roy. Kanan Devi, S. D. Burman, Chitta Ray, Firoza Begum, Ferdausi Rahman, Nilufar Yasmin, Sadya Afreen Mallick, Ferdous Ara, Shaheen Samad.
(Shairul Mashreque is a Professor, department of Public Administration, Chittagong University)