Original: Shadhona by Kazi Nazrul Islam
Translation: Mohammad Omar Farooq
Original: Shadhona by Kazi Nazrul Islam
Translation: Mohammad Omar Farooq
Bohu jug dhore bechechish tora
Ebar mrittu shadhona kor,
Je hate keboli kor monajat
She hate ebar ostro dhor.
Gogon hoite helal chiria
Shajare toder lal nishan,
Buroder aiyu okhkhoy hok
Nesar kore de toder pran.
Translation
You lived for so long,
Now once put your life on the line;
The same hands you use for only prayers,
With weapons let once those shine.
Tearing off the crescent from sky,
Decorate your fl ag that is crimson red;
Let the seniles live longer
You offer your precious life, go ahead.
Kazi Nazrul Islam (24 May 1899–29 August 1976), sobriquet Bidrohi Kobi, was a Bengali poet, musician and revolutionary who pioneered poetic works espousing intense spiritual rebellion against fascism and oppression. His poetry and nationalist activism earned him the popular title of Bidrohi Kobi (Rebel Poet). Nazrul was born into a Muslim family in India and received religious education and worked at a local mosque. He learnt poetry, drama and literature while working with various theatrical groups. After serving in the British Indian Army, he started working as a journalist in Kolkata. He preached revolution through his poetry in works such as “Bidrohi” (“The Rebel”) and “Bhangar Gaan” (“The Song of Destruction”). He also started a publication “Dhumketu” meaning The Comet. He was arrested many times by the British authorities for his activism in the Indian independence movement. He wrote during his time in prison the “Rajbandir Jabanbandi” (“Deposition of a Political Prisoner”). He also composed music for many songs which are collectively known as Nazrul Geeti. Nazrul was declared the National Poet by Bangladesh in 1972