Nazrul Geeti is the songs, which are composed and written by Kazi Nazrul Islam. Songs of Nazrul, almost 4000 in total, are extremely popular in both India and Bangladesh. The songs have recently been translated and recorded in Oriya language as a studio album as well. Each song of Nazrul is composed in a different manner, which exhibits its own significance. According to the styles, Nazrul Geeti can be classified in four different sections. The branches are provided below.
Branches of Nazrul Geeti
Songs of Nazrul Islam can be divided into four groups- Revolutionary Mass Music, Bhakti Geeti, Ghazal and Ragasrayi Songs (songs based on Ragas). Nazrul learned Arabian and Persian language during his childhood, as result of which, some of his poems and songs have Urdu, Arabian and Persian words. The themes of the songs are based on revolution, devotion, love, nature, patriotism etc.
Revolutionary Mass Music: Songs on this section are purely patriotic, which were widely used during the Indian Independence Movement and Bangladesh Liberation war. The songs are extremely motivational in nature with strong and powerful words. The words express the result of extremities on everything; it also deals with conservatism. The songs help to observe life in a wider parameter of philosophy and spirituality. Some of the notable patriotic songs of Nazrul are- "Mayer Deoya Mota Kapad", "Abonato Bharat Chahe Tomare", "Dhanya Amar Desh", "Mago Tomar Bhabna Keno", "Urdho Gogone Baje Madol" etc.
Bhakti Geeti: Krishna Bhajans and Shyama Sangeet of Nazrul Islam are called Bhakti Geeti together. These devotional songs are prayers to the almighty. Some of the examples of this type are- "He Gobindo Rakho Chorone", "Gangane Krishna Megh Dole", "Jago Jogmaya Jago Mrinmoyee", "Amar Kalo Meyer Payer Tolaye" etc.
Ghazal: Nazrul Islam took the initiative to introduce Islam to the traditional Bengali music. Bengali Ghazal was his invention, which was moulded out of the Persian Ghazals based on the theme of love. Some of the songs are- "Paradeshi Priyotomo", "Tomarei Ami", "Sedin Nishithe", "Gagane Pabane" etc. Apart from this, Nazrul Islam also composed some songs on the style of Qawwali, for example "Patha Chalite Jodi Chakite".
Ragasrayi Songs: Nazrul composed several songs, which are based on different ragas. The songs are based on the themes of love and nature. The songs are- "Piyu Piyu Birohi Papiya Bole" (Lalit raag); "Kaberi Nodi Jole Ke Go Balika" (Karnati Samant raag); "Shaon Asilo Phire" (Kazi Karfa raag); "Jharo Jharo Bari Jhare Ambar Byapiya" (Sudh Sarang raag); "Jaha Kichu Mamo Aache Priyotamo" (Sindhu Bhairavi raag) etc. These songs sometimes describe nature with its words and sometimes they are the renditions of a lover.