Nazrul in World literature

Nazrul wrote an essay in Paush, 1340 (Dec 1933) in "Bulbul" where he discussed about the nature of the world literature titled, "Bartaman Bishwa Sahitya". This essay described about the knowledge of Nazrul in world literature. He said that there are two types in the world , such as, Shelley (   Percy Bysshe Shelley ,4 August 1792 – 8 July 1822, was one of the major English Romantic poets and is regarded by critics as among the finest lyric poets in the English language) who wrote a poem like "To a skylark" depicting an idea of leaving this world in search of a new beautiful one and the other view is to encircle the world with arms. In one side there are litterateurs like Neguchi, Yeats, Rabindranath and in the other Gorkee (Alexei Maximovich Peshkov  (28 March 1868 – 18 June 1936), primarily known as Maxim (Maksim) Gorky (Russian: Макси́м Го́рький), was a Russian and Soviet writer, a founder of the Socialist Realism literary method and a political activist). Nazrul said;

Nazrul described Keats as a dreamer and Hutman as a simple and forbearing person. John Keats (John Keats (/ˈkiːts/; 31 October 1795 – 23 February 1821) was an English Romantic poet. He was one of the main figures of the second generation of Romantic poets along with Lord Byron and Percy Bysshe Shelley, despite his work only having been in publication for four years before his death)

Walt Whitman (Walter "Walt" Whitman (May 31, 1819 – March 26, 1892) was an American poet, essayist and journalist. A humanist, he was a part of the transition between transcendentalism and realism, incorporating both views in his works. Whitman is among the most influential poets in the American canon, often called the father of free verse_.

Nazrul described the day 14th Dec 1825 as a Historical Date. Because on that day, hundreds of poets and litterateurs , banished in Siberia, were slaughtered at the order of the barbarous king of Russia, Nicholas I (Nicholas I (Николай I Павлович, r Nikolai I Pavlovich; 6 July [O.S. 25 June] 1796 – 2 March [O.S. 18 February] 1855) was the Emperor of Russia from 1825 until 1855. He was also the King of Poland and Grand Duke of Finland. He was the younger brother of his childless predecessor, Alexander I. Nicholas inherited his brother's throne despite the failed Decembrist revolt against him, and went on to become the most reactionary of Russian monarchs).

(Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoyevsky, 11 November 1821 – 9 February 1881), sometimes transliterated Dostoevsky, was a Russian novelist, short story writer, essayist and philosopher. Dostoyevsky's literary works explore human psychology in the context of the troubled political, social, and spiritual atmosphere of 19th-century Russia. He began writing in his 20s, and his first novel, Poor Folk, was published in 1846 when he was 25. His major works include Crime and Punishment (1866), The Idiot (1869), and The Brothers Karamazov (1880). His output consists of eleven novels, three novellas, seventeen short novels and numerous other works. Many literary critics rate him as one of the greatest and most prominent psychologists in world literature)

Siberia gave birth to the litterateurs like Dostoyvsky, who created Crime and Punishment, Idiot etc.

Then appeared  Maxim Gorky, Chekov etc.

 ' At the end of this essay he mentioned about the other litterateurs of Scandinavia, Europe etc. 

Kabya Ampara ( A part of the holy Qorun) -Nazrul's translated works

Translation of Poetry
1. Rubaiyat-i - Hafiz , June 1930
2. Kabya Ampara [A Part of the Holy Ouran] , Nov. , 1933
3. Rubaiyat-i-Omar Khayyam , Dec. , 1959 
Kabya Ampara translated by Nazrul was published on 27th Nov 1933. Though it was written that the the date of publishing was May 1933.
From June 1930 to Nov 1933, Nazrul translated the above three important books. Sitting on the death bed of his son Bulbul, he translated the poems of Hafiz and finished it by translating Ampara. in the introduction of Kaby Ampara, he wrote

 Ampara in Bengali

Nazrul's total works

Nazrul’s works that won people’s hearts

.
Poetry

1. Agnivina [Flute of Fire], Oct. 1922
2. Dolon Chanpa. 1923
3. Bisher Banshi [FIute of Poison] , July 1924
4. Bhangar Gaan [Songs of Destruction], Aug. 1924
5. Chhayanat 1924
6. Chittanama [In memory of C. R. Das], June 192'5
7. Puber Haoa [Eastern Wind] , 1925
8. Samyabadi Dec. 1925
9. Jhingey Phul [Children's Poems], 1926
10. Sarbahara [Bereft-of-All] , 1926
11. Fanimansha , July 1926
12. Sindhu Hindol [Sea-Wave] , 1927
13. Zinjeer [Shackles] , 1928
14. Bulbul [Songs] , Sept. 1928
15. Chokher Chatak , Nov. 1929
16. Chakrabak [Swan] , 1929
17. Sandhya[Even-Tide] , 1929
18. Pralay Shikha [Flame of Destruction] , 1930
19. Chandrabindu , 1930
20. Nazrul Geetika [Collection of Songs] , July 1930
21. Sur-Saqi [Songs] , July 1932
22. Zulfikar - August 1932
23. Bonogeeti [Songs] , Sept. 1932
24. Gul-bagicha , June 1933
25. Geeti Shotodal, May 1934
26. Ganer Mala , Sept. 1934
27. Nirjhar, 1938
[it was printed, but not appeared in the market]
28. Natun Chand [New Moon], 1945
29. Maru Vaskar [Desert-Sun], 1950
30. Baubul [2nd part] 1951
31. Zulfikar [2nd part] - lDate of printing not printed. Probably it was printed in 1951]
32. Shesh Saogat [Last Gift], May 1958
33. Zhar [Tempest], Nov. 1960
34. Ghum Jagano Pakhi , 1964
35. Ranga Jaba, May 1966
36. Sanchita, 1928
37. Nazrul Rachanabali [1st vol.] Edited by Abdul Qadir, Published by Bangla Unnayan Board, May 1966
38. "[2nd vo.], Dec. 1967
39. " [3rd vol.] , Feb. 1970

40. " [4th vol.] Bangla Academy, May 1977
41. Nazrul Rachana Samvar. vol. I [Ed. by A. Oadir 1961]
42. " [vol. 2nd to 7th. Edited by Abdul Aziz AI-Aman], 1970-79
43. Nazrul Islam: Islami Gaan [Comp. Islamic Songs] Published by Islamic
Foundation Bangladesh , 1980
44. Nazrul Islam : Islami Kabita [Comp : Islamic poems] " 1982
45. Nazrul Geeti: [five volumes] Published by Nazrul Academy, 1971-73
46. Nazrul Geeti [Okhondo] , Sept. 1978
47. SunirbachitoNazrul Geeti , Nov. 1972
48. SunirbachitoNazrul Geeti guchchha, May 1973
49. SunirbachitoNazrul Geeti Malancha , Nov. 1975
50. Sonchoyn

Drama
1. Jhilimili , Nov. 1930
2. AIeya , Dec. 1931
3. Madhumala , Nov. 1937
4. Debistuty , 1967

Plays for Record
1. Bidyapati
2. Biyebari
3. Srimanta
4. Eid-ul-Fitr
5. Priti Upahar
6. Boner Bedey

Translation of Poetry
1. Rubaiyat-i - Hafiz , June 1930
2. Kabya Ampara [A Part of the Holy Ouran] , Nov. , 1933
3. Rubaiyat-i-Omar Khayyam , Dec. , 1959

Plays for Children
1. Sat Bhai Champa , 1938
2. Putuler Biya , 1938
3. Piley Patka , 1963

Novel
1. Bandhan Hara , July 1927
2. Mrityu Kshudha , May 1930
3. Kuhelika , 1931

Short Story
1. Byethar Daan , Feb. 1922
2. Rikter Bedan , Dec. 1924
3. Shiuli Mala , Oct. 1931

Essay
1. Jugobani, Oct. 1922
2. Durdiner Jatri -- The time of its publication was not printed in the book. All of its essays were published in the Bi-Weekly 'Dhumketu' of 1922.
3. Rudra Mongol --The time of its publication was not printed in the book. All of its essays were published in the Dhumketu of 1922 and Gonobani of 1923.
4. Nazrul Patrabali , 1970.

Rubaiyat-e-Omar Khaiyam, translated by Nazrul.

At the end of 1933 Nazrul published his two translated books, 1. Rubaiyat-e-Omar Khaiyam and 2. Kabya Ampara. Rubaiyat-e- Omar Khaiyam was not published in the book-form when it was written. It was then published in monthly "Mohammadi". The stanza 1-31 was published in Oct 1930, 32-45 stanzas were published  in Nov 1930, and 47-59 stanzas in Dec 1930. But he had settled to publish it in the for of a book and he wrote its introduction also. This was produced to the poet Abdul Kadir to publish in 25th May 1969 in "Nazrul Rachana Sambhar".Nazrul wrote in his Introduction;

Later on it as published in Dec 1959 by Standard Publisher, Dhaka, with 297 stanzas.

Nazrul and Kaikobad

On 25th and 26th December in Albert Hall, Kolkata, the 5th Bangiya Musalman Sahitya Sammelan  was held .The poet Kaikobad presided over the conference.At the beginning of the conference the vice-president Said Amdad Ali garlanded Nazrul and Kaikobad. Nazrul sung the inaugural song , "eso eso rasalok behari madhukar dal', in the conference.  In the evening a musical entertainment, under the guidance of Nazrul was held. On 26th Dec , at the end of the conference Nazrul sung many songs.

Nazrul in Sirajganj

A conference was arranged by the Bangiya Muslim Taron on 5-6 Nov 1932. The secretary of the reception, M. Serajul Haq invited Nazrul to preside over the conference through Asafullah Siraj.
Nazrul taking Abbasuddin as his companion reached Sirajganj Station on the morning of 5th Nov. A mammoth gathering accorded welcome even in that cold morning. Nazrul was dressed with clothes of Payjama, serwani, hat all made up of Khadi. A long procession in front of the car of Nazrul making a round of the city took him to the house of Afzal Ali Khan. At about 1 pm the conference was started with the inaugural song sung by Abbasuddin. Nazrul was moved in the city, remarkable for the memory of the Poet Said Ismail Hosen Siraji which was revealed in his presidential address. He expired on 17th July, 1931 at Sirajganj.
nazrul said in his presidential address;

 

Nazrul in Rauzat, Chittagang.

In the summer of 1932, nazrul went to Rauzat at Chittagang to attend a conference of Liteature.In this conference Abul Fazal, Kamaluddin Khan, Habibullah Bahar and Mhoudhurehbool-Ul-Alam also attended.Nazir Ahmad Choudhury, ex-editor of Mohammadi, also attended. Choudhury Saheb was the leader of anti-propaganda of Nazrul in Muhammadi. in this conference too did not miss to repeat the same. He said, leering Nazrul's joining of army, that in that war (1st WW) Nazrul joined the war of the British Govt. just to defeat the Muslims. Nazru replied cleverly;

In the evening session of the conference, the main attraction was song and recitation performed by Nazrul. 

Nazrul's popularity spread throughout Bengal

Nazrul wrote a lyric "Swapan Chaya" in Darjeeling on 20th June 1931for Jahan Ara. He taught her this song which reflects  his relation with Jahan Ara,

Nazrul published four books in 1931. Kuhelika (21 July 1931), Nazrul Swaralipi (25 Aug 1931),Siulimala (16 Oct 1931), and Lyrical drama, Aleya .

In the meeting of felicitation of Jatindramohan Bagchi, Nazrul sung a song, "Tumi kon pathe ele he mayabi kabi" .

In Dec 1931or January 1932 Nazrul's third son was born.His name was Kazi Aniruddha Islam and pet name was Lenin or Nini.. In the mean time Nazrul arranged publication of notes of his songs with the help of Umapada Bhattacharya and Jagat Ghatak which was printed in Bharatbarsha from 1933.

Nazrul and Rabindranath

In GajendraChandra Ghosh's Adda at 38 Cornwallis Street, Nazrul was introduced with Satyendranath Datta. Pabitra Gangopadhyay described the introduction between the two poets in his book ," Chalaman Jiban". Satyen datta said to Nazrul, " you have brought new wave in the literature. We are insignificant, you have already impressed Gurudev." Nazrul inquired whether he has read any writings of Nazrul. Satyen Datta replied, "to speak you frankly , Gurudev asked me whether I have read any poem of Nazrul." In his opinion, as Gurudev said, Nazrul was bringing harmony in literature, a new avenue of cultural coordination.
Nazrul met Rabindranath some times in July/August of 1921 at Jorasanko. As usual, Nazrul appeared before Rabindranath with his common dialogue " De garur ga Dhuiye" astonishing everybody present there.
The two poets became gradually close and closer. But the controversy over the use of the word "Khun" in Bengali literature and its extraordinary emphasis in Shanibarer Chithi created some misunderstanding between the two poets.
The poet Abdul Kadir wrote an essay in "Nazrul Rchana Sambhar" titled, "Rabindra-Nazrul Samparka" in which he said,
" In a discussion Rabindranath compared Nazrul with an Italian poet The Nungeo. ....."

In 1930 ............one day Nazrul with his friends Manmatha Roy, Abani Roy, Manoranjan Chakraborty, Probodh Guha etc went to meet Rabindranath while visiting  in Darjeeling, rabindanath affectionately said, "there was a poet in Italy, named The Nungeo living in an island  ,  who is more emotional than you.".

From that essay it is known that Nazrul met Rabindranath in Darjeeling in the month of Ashar 1337 i.e., June-July of 1930. But this data contradicts  the statement given by Provat Kumar Mukhopadhyay, Biographer of Rabindranath, that Rabindranath was visiting Europe, Soviet Russia and America during March 1930 to January 1931. He went to Darjeeling in summer vacation of 1931 and stayed there about a month, i.e., he went to Darjeeling in 20th June 1931 and it was possible that Nazrul met him in 1931.  Rabindranath went to Darjeeling with the editor of Barshabani, JahanaraChoudhury with whom he had close relation. Both Nazrul and Rabindranath were contributors of Barshabani, Nazrul wrote a poem "Sukhabilasini Parabat Tumi' . he wrote there,

Reverence of Nazrul to Rabindranath was expressed in the above poem.

Rubait-e-Hafiz and Bulbul

Nazrul translated Rubait-e-Hafiz sitting on the bed of his deceased son Bulbul and he dedicated the book to the memory of his demised son, Bulbul. He wrote on the page of dedication,
" Baba Bulbul,
I started translating Rubait-e-Hafiz , titled "Bulbul-e-Siraj" sitting on your death bed.The day I finished the book, you were no more......."

Later on Nazrul constructed a song to the memory of his dearest son,

At the sudden death of his son Bulbul Nazrul,Pramila and Giribala got rude shock. Nazrul tried to find consolation in spiritual search. He went to the Headmaster, Sree Barada Charan Majumdar of lalgola high school of District Murshidabad who wrote a book , "Path harar Path", on Yoga- Practice and Nazrul wrote in the Introduction of the book,

 This year Nazrul wrote two books, Pralay Shikha, and Chadrabindu . But both the books were banded.  

  

Demise of Bulbul on 7th or 8 th May, 1930

( Nazrul with his first son Bulbu, standingl; his wife Pramila seated right and his mother-in-law Giribala Devi seated left, behind whom stands Bulbul's nanny.)
Nazrul was staying in a house at Masjid Bari Street, Calcutta, in 1930.In that house and in that year , on 7th or 8th May, Nazrul's dearest son, four years old Bulbul, was attacked with small-pox. Eruption was also spread on his eyes. As a last attempt, Nazrul sent Khan Muhammad Mainuddin and Santipada Sinha to fetch a sage from Dumdum. Khan Muhammad wrote in his book, "Yugasrashta Nazrul", 
" When we returned, it was dead of night. ....The Poet came down hurriedly on learning that we have arrived and burst into tears embracing me. He said, Hallo, the Sage did not came. Can you say that the sage could inject life in a dead body ? Say, if he can inject life to a dead body. ........."

Nazrul gave thegood name of Nazrul as "Arundam Khaled" . He was born in his residence at Press cottage,  Krishnanagar, on 9th Sept 1926. Bulbul was very ear to his parents and grand mother-in law. Bulbul seemed to be very genius. Muzaffar Ahmed wrote in his book, "Nazrul Smritikakatha".
" He was a little magician. He used to go to the house of the friends of Nazrul along with them and stayed there hours together......."  

 

National Ovation of Nazrul

(Albert Hall)
A meeting was convened in the Muslim Institute Hall of Mr. A. Wellesly Square on 9th Oct 1929 at 6.30 pm to form a National committee for recognition of Nazrul's creative genius. The meeting were attended by the following persons;
A.K,fazlul Haq, Jaladhar Sen ( editor of Bharatbarsha), Hedayat Hosen (Principal, Calcutta Madrasa), S. Oajed Ali (Presidency Magistrate), Asadujamman (advocate,High Court), H.S.Surahbardi, Dr. R. Ahmed, Dilip Kumar Roy, Dinesh Ranjan Das (Secretary, Kallol), , Premendra Mitra etc It was also decided that the felicitation of Nazrul would be held in Albert hall (picture above) on 15th Dec 1929.
But the hall was pre-occupied, before the scheduled time, by the students of the against group with Maulana Najir Ahmmad Choudhury, editor in charge of "Mohammadi". In-spite of the opposition the meeting adopted a resolution to recognise Nazrul for his extra ordinary performance in Music and literature. A committee was formed with the following persons under the Chairman of the meeting Khan Bahadur Asaduzzaman. President-S.Oajed Ali, General Secretary and treasurer - M. Nasiruddin ( editor of Saogat), Jt. Secretary - Dinesh ranjan Das (editor of Kallol), Members: - Md. Oajed Ali, Abul Mansur Ahmmad, Nripendrakrishna Chattopadhyay, Nalini Kanta Sarkar , Dilip Kumar Roy etc consisting of 18 persons. Office- 11 Wellesly Street ( office of Saugat). The date and place of recognition was fixed to be 15th Dec 1929 in Albert Hall.
In the presence of many litterateurs, Scientists, political Workers, and Ladies Nazrul was greeted warmly on 15th dec 1929 under the presidency of Acharyya Prafulla Chandra Roy who spoke in his presidential address;

The felicitation paper was read by Janab S.Oajed Ali;

The President Acharya Prafulla Chandra Roy offered a golden pen and a golden inkpot to Nazrul.

Nazrul in reply to his recognition said'

Subhas Chandra Basu delivered a lecture on this occasion'

Lastly Acharya Prafulla chandra Roy concluded by saying;

Nazrul as a singer, lyricist and musician.

At the end of the month of Jan 1829, Nazrul came back to Calcutta, Nazrul became already famous as a poet and a political man. But he also established himself  as a singer, a lyricist and a musician. He used to make lively all the meetings and places where he had gone. Specially he became popular for his inspiring melodious songs and gazal .
The songs of Nazrul was not only sung by himself, it also was sung by the then famous singers such as Dilip Roy, Nalini Kanta Sarker, Sahana Devi and others before it was recorded by Gramophone Company.It was because of his political activities the Gramophone Company of English man did not record Nazrul's songs.Only the famous singer Harendranath Dutta recorded secretly, without publishing his name, the song "Jater naame Bajjati' and after some time another two songs were recorded, ""punthir Bidhan jak pure" and
" Dohai ebar tora satya katha bal". After huge demand from the public, from all sides, the Gramophone Company arranged recording Nazrul.s songs from 1928
and paid him his royalty for the record published by Harendranath Dutta.
Muzaffar Ahmed wrote in his memoirs about Nazrul that Nazrul gradually entered in the music world;

In the mean time Nazrul went to Kustiya and Akkelpur of Bagura district.. Nazrul was given an warm welcome in the Jatindra Hall of Kustiyain the month of March 1929. He sung Gazal for about two hours in the conference of Young Mens Muslim association of Akkelpur, Bagura in reply to his greetings.  

         

Nazrul greeted in different places

When gNazrul was staying at 8/1, Panbagan Lane, he wrote to the Poet Abdul Kadir, on 2.1.29 ;
".... so long I have been deprived by my publishers , now I am enlightened. I am thinking of paying back their own coin...."

At the beginning of January, 1929, came back to Calcutta from Thakurgaon of Dinajpur district and then went to Chittagang. In Chittagang, he stayed in the house of Bahar Nahar. Begam Shyamsunnahar Mahmood wrote in her book, "Nazrul-ke Yaman dekhechi", said,
"We have the opportunity to get Nazrul twice in our house. ..."

so long he stayed in Chittagang, he made it be full of joy and merrymaking. 

( seabeach of Kattali)
         There is a village named Kattali near Chittagang. A mammoth  meeting was held on 11th Jan 1929, Friday, organised by Union Club of Kattali to felicitate Nazrul. A large number of people, both Hindus and Muslims joined the meeting. Maulana Ajijur Rahman, ex-superintendent of Darul Ulum Madrasa and founder of Islamabad Press the first printing press established by a muslim of Chittagang. a resolution was adopted in the meeting in the following lines;

This time in Chittagang he constructed his famous kabya grantha " Batayan pashe gubak tarur sari", and Sampaner Gaan".

Then Nazrul went to the birth place of his intimate friend Muzaffar Ahmed in Sadwip. The Abdul Moktadi and Salimullah took him to Sandwip.

In the field of local Kargil High school, Sandwip, Nazrul was given a receptipon. In the meetin, Muhammad Oaliullah read the felicitation paper on behalf of the residents.
In reply to the welcome address the poet talked high of the residents of Sandwip and described the beauties  of Sndwip.He also sung the songs, "Chal, Chal, Chal," Durgama giri kantara Maru", Chashi Dhar kashe langal", etc. and recited the poem "bidrohi".
The poet passed one night there and on the next morning, he went to the house of Muzaffar Ahmaed and stayed there for two days.