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Speakers at a discussion titled July Uprising: The Legacy of Kazi Nazrul said that the national poet was a symbol of the indomitable human spirit.

They made the remark at the discussion held at the North South University in Dhaka on Wednesday, said a press release.

The discussion reflected on the life and literary legacy of Kazi Nazrul Islam, exploring the enduring influence his work’s spirit had on the July uprising in the past year.

Chaired by Professor Abdul Hannan Chowdhury, vice-chancellor, NSU, Professor Salimullah Khan, department of history and philosophy, NSU; poet Abdul Hye Sikder, editor, daily Jugantor; Professor Mahbubur Rahman, department of political science and sociology, NSU; and national award-winning reciter Nasim Ahmed from the Nazrul Institute attended as discussants at the programme.

Professor Mahbubur Rahman opened the program, stating, ‘Kazi Nazrul Islam had a rebellious voice that spoke out against bigotry and was a passionate advocate for religious harmony, peace, and justice. He is a symbol of the indomitable human spirit.’

Professor Salimullah Khan remarked, ‘Although Kazi Nazrul Islam’s works were composed over a century ago, they feel as if they were written recently and continue to impact contemporary generations.’

‘He had a brief literary career spanning less than 25 years, during which he produced an exceptional body of poems and songs. If I had to describe Kazi Nazrul Islam’s works in three words, they would be humanity, independence, and respect,’ added Salimullah Khan.

Abdul Hye Sikder said, ‘Among his global peers and contemporaries, that included George Bernard Shaw, Robert Frost and Virginia Woolf, Kazi Nazrul Islam not only excelled in one field, but shone across many. His works possessed an incredible range, encompassing emotion and reason, science and faith, and modernity and heritage.’

Sikder also said, ‘It is a testament to how gifted an artiste Kazi Nazrul Islam was that he managed to combine all these elements in complete harmony. Without the words of Kazi Nazrul Islam, we would not have the language to describe the July movement.’

Professor Abdul Hannan Chowdhury said that he solemnly remembered all those who lost their lives in the July uprising. ‘I hold deep respect for Kazi Nazrul Islam and his works, which inspired our youth and brought the nation together in spirit during that troubling time.’

Following the dialogue, Nasim Ahmed recited Kazi Nazrul Islam’s poem ‘Bidrohi’.

The programme concluded with musical performances of Nazrul’s songs by the NSU students and faculty.