Kazi Nazrul Islam was a revolutionary poet and musician. Born in Bengal, Nazrul was known for his fiery poems and moving songs. Though many of his poems are revolutionary in nature, he had also composed poems for children and in other genres. After India was divided in 1947, Bangladesh recognised him their National Poet. He was one of the most versatile poets that Bengal ever witnessed. Though his songs and compositions were result of a particular age but he himself quoted, "Even though I was born in this country (Bengal), in this society, I don`t belong to just this country, this society. I belong to the world."

Early Life of Kazi Nazrul Islam
Kazi Nazrul Islam was born on May 24, 1899 in Churulia village of Burdwan district, West Bengal. His father was an Imam of local mosque. His mother`s name was Zaheda Khatun He had two brothers and a sister. His father passed away when he was just 9 yrs old and hence he took up his father`s job to support the family. He was often referred to as `Dukhu Mian` or the Sad Man. From a tender age Nazrul visited mosques and mausoleums and learnt Quran and Islamic theology. In 1910, he joined a `leto` or travelling theatrical group which was run by his uncle. Nazrul wrote a number of folk plays for his group, which included Chasar San, Shakunibadh, Raja Yudhisthirer San, Data Karna, Akbar Badshah, Kavi Kalidas, Vidyabhutum, Rajputrer San, Buda Saliker Ghade Ron and Meghnad Badh. In 1912-13, he joined the Kabi troupe of Basudeva and then served as the cook to a railway guard and was an apprentice with a baker`s shop. In 1914, he went to Mymensingh and got admission in Shiarsol Raj School in class VII. During his school life Nazrul studied Bengali, Sanskrit, Arabic, Persian literature and classical music. From there he escaped Lahore to join the army to the Bengali Regiment before taking the Matriculation examination.

Career of Kazi Nazrul Islam
After a few years he returned to Calcutta in 1920 and started writing poetry, short stories essays, novels and songs. He joined the staff of the "Bangiya Mussalman Sahitya Samiti". He also worked as a newspaper editor, a film actor, a freedom fighter and a political worker. His first collection of poems "Bodhan", "Shat-il-Arab", "Kheya-parer Tarani" and "Badal Prater Sharab" got lots of critical accolades. In October 1921, Nazrul went to Santiniketan to meet Rabindranath Tagore. Despite many differences, Nazrul looked to Tagore as a mentor and the two were pretty close to each other. He also wrote a memorable poem on Tagores death. In 1921 he got married to Nargis.

Works of Kazi Nazrul Islam
His first anthology of poems was "Agniveena" in 1922, which got outstanding success. In this year his famous poem collection `Bidrohi` was published. He also published his first volume of short stories, the "Byather Dan" and "Yugbani", an anthology of essays in this year.

He received the title of `Bidrohi Kabi` for his revolutionary writings. Nazrul started a bi-weekly magazine, "Dhumketu" on August 12, 1922 where he used to write revolutionary poems, articles etc. His passionate activism in the Indian independence movement through those writings often led to his imprisonment several times by British government. While in prison, Nazrul wrote the "Rajbandir Jabanbandi" and condemned Islamic fundamentalism, orthodox traditions and bigotry in society. Upholding the life and abysmal conditions of the downtrodden masses of India, Nazrul advocated for their emancipation.

He wrote over 2600 songs. To bring variations in his songs not only he used 200 ragas of classical music but also adapted different forms like- Dhrupad, Khayal, Tappa, Thumri, Dadra, Kajri, Chaiti, Rasia, ghazal, kirtan, baul, jhumur, Santhali folksongs, jhanpan or the folk songs of snake charmers, bhatiali, bhaoaia and even western music. He retrieved some lost ragas and created few ragas and talas. His songs on communal harmony, socialistic inspiration and economic freedom are worth a special mention. Despite being a Muslim by birth, he composed several devotional songs like Bhajans, Shyamasangeets, Agamanis, Kirtans and also a large number of religious songs on invocation to Shiva, Lakshmi and Swaraswati and on the theme of love of Radha and Krishna.

Achievements of Kazi Nazrul Islam
His biggest contribution was that he increased the horizon of Bengali literature. Nazrul was awarded the Jagattarini Gold Medal in 1945 - the highest honour for work in Bengali literature by the University of Calcutta. He was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1960. He received Ekushey Padak by the Government of Bangladesh and was given the Honorary D.Litt. by the University of Dhaka.

After a sudden attack of paralysis on July 10, 1942, he was completely bedridden. He breathed his last on August 29, 1976 at the age of 77.