Nazrul Geeti


Nazrul Sangeet or Nazrul Geeti, literally "music of Nazrul", refers to the songs written and composed by Kazi Nazrul Islam; an active revolutionary during the Indian Independence Movement, who later became the national poet of Bangladesh after the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971. Nazrul Sangeet incorporate revolutionary notions as well as more spiritual, philosophical and romantic themes inspired by Sufism and Indian religions. Nazrul wrote and composed nearly 4,000 songs, which are widely popular in Bangladesh and India.

Background

Nazrul showed the symptoms of keen poetic and musical talent at his tender age and started writing songs when he was a member of a Leto group. Following Kazi Bazle Karim, his uncle and a leader of a Leto group, he became expert in composing songs and setting them to tunes. Joining Leto group enhanced his musical career and put a significant impact on shaping his future musical life. At very young age he was excelled in composing songs in different languages, apart from Bengali language. He met Satish Kanjilal, a teacher of Searsol School who had interest in classical music and some mastery over it. Observing Nazrul's irresistible inclination to music, Mr. Kanjilal imparted him some lessons on classical music. Later Nazrul widened his knowledge on music when he was serving as a Havilder in Karachi Barrack under Bengal Regiment. He learned a great deal of Persian language, literature and music with the help of a religious teacher from Punjab attached with the regiment.

Nazrul Islam's musical style

Revolutionary Mass music

The Mass music and poems of Kazi Nazrul Islam have been widely used during the Indian Independence Movement and Bangladesh Liberation War. The music is highly motivational and revolutionary in nature with strong and powerful words and captivating tunes. It talks about the extremities of everything. The lyrics of those songs are provoking, as they talk against conservatism and about life on a broader parameter of philosophy and spirituality. The beauty of Nazrul's mass music lies in the freedom of its expression, which also drew immense criticism. However, those who understood its philosophy praised the courage and straightforwardness.
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Ghazal

Nazrul's acquaintance with the tradition of Persian Ghazals, a form of love songs, was very significant in the sense that it paved the base of his successful efforts in composing Bengali Ghazals which he undertook by 1927–28. Bengali Ghazal is, it can be mentioned outright, an innovation by Kazi Nazrul Islam alone. It served as the first mass-level introduction of Islam into the mainstream tradition of Bengali music.

Historical influence

Nazrul used his music as a major way of disseminating his revolutionary notions, mainly by the use of strong words and powerful, but catchy, tunes. Among the revolutionary songs, Karar Oi Louho Kopat is best known and has been used in several movies, especially those made during the pre-independence period of Bangladesh.
Nazrul Geeti has recently been translated and recorded in Oriya in the form of a studio album.

Notable songs