Published: 10:29 AM, 22 July 2026
Comprehensive research on Nazrul need of hour: Rezauddin Stalin
Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy Director General Rezauddin Ahmed (Rezauddin Stalin) has stressed conducting comprehensive research on the life and works of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam.
Although Kazi Nazrul Islam passed away half a century ago, comprehensive research and a reliable biography have not yet been produced on his literature, philosophy, political thoughts, music, journalism, theatre practice and multi-dimensional life, he told BSS in a recent interview on the occasion of 'Nazrul Barsho'.
As a result, Stalin said, future researchers may face difficulties in searching for information and in this situation, a comprehensive research and a complete biography on Nazrul are the demand of time. He said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's announcement of 'Nazrul Barsho' has created an opportunity to showcase the national poet before the world.
However, emphasis should be put on ensuring that this initiative is not limited to a one-year programme but takes a permanent and institutional form, he said.
The Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy chief said although many researchers in the country and abroad have done important work on Kazi Nazrul Islam, most of them are fragmented or focused on a specific topic.
As a result, he said, the overall assessment of Nazrul's life, literature, philosophy and works remains incomplete. He said Professor Rafiqul Islam wrote a biography of Nazrul; however, much important information was not included in it.
Professor Ataur Rahman started writing the biography but died before finishing it, while poet and researcher Abdul Mannan Syed also left his research unfinished in the same way, Stalin said.
He also mentioned that researcher Golam Murshid has written an important biography and journalist and columnist Syed Abul Maksud worked on Nazrul's biography for a long time.
However, he said, a complete and informative biography has not yet been found that captures the entire life and works of the national poet.
He said Nazrul studies have also spread abroad, while British poet, researcher and translator William Radice translated Nazrul's poems and songs into English.
The director general said Professor Winston Langley of the University of Massachusetts, USA, conducted research on Nazrul's literature, the role of Dhumketu and Langal magazines, his experience in the Leto group and political philosophy. Langley's notable work is 'Kazi Nazrul Islam: Moral Courage and Truthfulness'.
Henry Glassie, Professor of Ethnomusicology at Indiana University, USA, has conducted research on Nazrul's literary works, he said.
