The two-day divisional level National Nazrul Conference began in Barisal on Friday.
Participants in the programme said the message of humanity and self-dignity that Nazrul gives in his poetry to the world must be promoted to check violence, fundamentalism and bigotry.
The programme was organised by Nazrul Institute under the ministry of cultural affairs at Ashwini Kumar Hall of the city.
On the opening day, a procession marched from the central Shaheed Minar to the conference venue while a discussion meeting was held in the morning.
Shahidul Alam, deputy commissioner of Barisal, presided over the inaugural function addressed, among others, by Professor Rafiqul Islam, Professor Emeritus and chairman Nazrul Institute Trustee Board, Rashid Haider, executive director, Nazrul Institute, advocate Talukdar Md Yunus, AL lawmaker, Mahbuba Mushkur, joint secretary of the cultural ministry, advocate SM Iqbal, cultural activist, and Khikhil Kazi, descendant of National poet Kazi Nazrul Islam.
Kazi Nazrul Islam’s poetry inculcates the triumph of humanity, while his music soothes the senses with its embrace of eternal love, said eminent Nazrul exponent, researcher and chairman of the Nazrul Institute Trustee Board Professor Rafiqul Islam.
Nazrul was born in West Bengal but has deep relation with East Bengal, he said, adding that the poet was also connected with Barisal through the Sher-e- Bangla AK Fazlul Huq, eminent political figure of undivided India and Bengal.
Nazrul wrote poetry of non-communal love and freedom and condemned oppression and bigotry.
His unique humanitarian and indiscriminate vision made him popular in both Bangladesh and India and was made the National Poet of Bangladesh, said Professor Rafiqul Islam.
Khilkhil Kazi said Nazrul was not only a poet, prose writer, novelist, but also lyricists and composer of approximately three thousand songs.
Syed Dulal, Asma Chowdhury and Professor Kazi Nazrul Islam held discussion on the life and works of the poet.
Nazrul singers Khalid Hossain, Lina Taposhi Khan and Selina Hossain, recitation artist Mahi and others participated in the cultural performance, a part of the programme.
-With New Age input
