Mirroring universalism in Kazi Nazrul Islam: a humaniterian poet with distinctive style

Abstract

Kazi Nazrul Islam, the National Poet of our country is one of the most versatile genius who worked in multiple literary genres. Although known as a Rebel, the various aspects of his creativity proves that he is more than that- an aesthetician, a freedom fighter, a secular icon and above all a humanitarian poet of all time. In the Post Tagorean Bengali literature, he came up with his own writing style going beyond the conventional phenomenon unlike many of his accomplished contemporary writers. It makes him one of the architects of modernity as well. A large portion of his writings bear the testimony of his creative soul including Sufism and Mysticism1 followed by Persian literature. Equally, he mastered Hindu Puranas2 and many of his works carry the essence of Hinduism as well. The purposeful unification of different religions in his works spread the message of Interreligious Harmony which mirrors his universalistic notion. He also wrote against almost every system of oppressions and continued to confront, challenge and combat: capitalism, racism and patriarchy. Many of his comparable contemporaries lack of such spirit which is why my claim in this thesis is that Nazrul had a distinctive style to rebel. Also, the truest humanist essence which remains at his core helps to juxtapose him along with the other writers across the world who share the same spirit. Based on such shared platform in literary works, this thesis further claims that Nazrul is a humanitarian poet who deserve to be recognized universally.