By Delwar Hossain  

CUMILLA, Aug 26, 2025 (BSS) - National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam stayed in Cumilla for a very short time. But he has left countless memories of him in the hearts of the people of the district. 

To the people of Cumilla, the city of his love, marriage, struggle and creation, he is a native of this soil. That is why the song 'Ami ciratore dura chola jabo, tobu amare debona bhulite...' written by the poet is eternally etched in the hearts of the people of Cumilla.

 Even though the poet passed away, the people of Cumilla have kept him in their hearts for ages.

Tomorrow is 12th Bhadra of Bengali calendar, the 49th death anniversary of the rebel poet Kazi Nazrul Islam. 

Keeping this day in mind, this correspondent spoke to researchers, poets, literary and cultural figures of Cumilla. He also talked to common people. 

Local residents believe that although poet Nazrul Islam was born in Churulia, the soil and people of Cumilla gave him the inspiration for new creations. 

Many of his immortal creations were written in this Cumilla. His stories of love, revolution, struggle and literary pursuits are still embedded in the hearts of the people of Cumilla. 

Nazrul is also relevant in the daily lives of the local residents in many ways. 

Indrakumar Sen's house in Kandirpar, Dharmasagar Par, Ranir Dighi, Maheshangan, Darogabari, Town Hall Maidan, musician Sachin Dev Burman's Charthar Rajbari, Nawab Bari, and many other places in Cumilla are filled with countless memories of the poet's wanderings. 

These places, which are intertwined with his memories, now stand as witnesses of time to people.

Talking to BSS, Nazrul researcher Dr. Ali Hossain Chowdhury said that Cumilla was an important part of the life and literary works of poet Kazi Nazrul Islam. 

Nazrul became a poet of rebellion and love through his travels in Cumilla. Many of the events that led to the poet's love, marriage, becoming a composer, singer and actor also began in Cumilla.

He said Nazrul stayed in Cumilla for about 11 months in five phases from April 1921 to January 1924. This eleven-month stay was the turning point in the poet's life.

It is known from various studies on Nazrul that on November 21, 1921, the Indian National Congress called a hartal on the occasion of the arrival of the Prince of Wales in Kolkata. 

During that hartal, Nazrul participated in a procession in Rajganj, Cumilla, singing protest songs with a harmonium hanging around his neck. He was arrested for this crime. 

According to researchers, this incident created an important context behind Nazrul's 'rebellious poetry'.

An important chapter in the poet's love and personal life was written in Cumilla. 

Nargis Asar Khanam of the Khan family in Daulatpur, Muradnagar of the district, and Ashalata Sen Gupta alias Pramila of West Kandirpar of the city, these two women came into Nazrul's life as life partners.

Nargis and Pramila had a profound influence on the poet's life. During his stay in Cumilla, he composed numerous poems and songs.

Various initiatives have been taken in Cumilla at various times to reach Nazrul's memory from generation to generation. 

In 1960, Kabi Nazrul Hall was established at the Cumilla Victoria Government College. In 1962, the road from Kandirpar to Farida Vidyathan was named 'Nazrul Avenue'. In 1970, the 'Nazrul Lalit Kala Parishad' was formed in Cumilla which later became known as the 'Nazrul Parishad'.

In 1983, memorial plaques were installed at the places where Nazrul stayed in the city. In 1992, concrete plaques were installed at these places describing the events associated with the poet's memory. 

The 'Chetanay Nazrul' memorial has been built in front of the Cumilla Shilpakala Academy. In addition, some memorials of Khan Palace have been preserved in Daulatpur, Muradnagar. The National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam Institute has been established in Cumilla.

Local cultural activists believe that effective initiatives must be taken for the proper preservation of Nazrul's memorials. They said that several memorials of the poet are at risk of disappearing.

Cultural activist Hossain Mahmud told BSS that grand arrangements are made whenever the birth or death anniversary of poet Nazrul comes. The memorials are temporarily decorated. But for the rest of the year, they lie neglected. 

“We want the poet's memorials to be preserved permanently and arrangements for their maintenance should be made throughout the year,” he said.

Sumana Sumon, president of Abritti Sangsad Cumilla, said the volume of Nazrul's works is very high in Cumilla within Bangladesh. He composed numerous songs and poems here. 

Due to this, the interest of local students and cultural organizations in studying Nazrul is increasing day by day.
Munjurul Alam Bhuiyan, convener of the Cumilla Metropolitan unit of Jatiyatabadi Samajik Sangskritik Sangstha (JASAS), said that Comilla is a silent witness to many events including Nazrul's love, marriage, anti-British movement, arrest, rallies and literary studies. 

“Therefore, the poet is immortal in our hearts forever,” he said.