Experts call for digital push to take Nazrul's legacy to the global stage
Researchers and cultural figures have urged coordinated use of education, research, media and digital platforms to promote Kazi Nazrul Islam's literary and musical legacy globally.
Leading Nazrul researchers, artists, poets and recitation performers have called for coordinated initiatives across education, research, publishing, mainstream media and digital platforms to promote the literary, musical and philosophical legacy of Bangladesh's National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam worldwide.
The recommendations were made during a consultation meeting organised by the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy on Sunday (July 12) as part of the "Nazrul Year" celebrations at the National Art Gallery Auditorium in Dhaka. The day-long event, supported by the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, brought together representatives from different cultural disciplines.
Speakers stressed that digital archives, online learning resources, social media, streaming platforms and other digital channels should be utilised more effectively to introduce Nazrul's works to younger generations and international audiences. They also proposed playing Nazrul's songs and literary works in buses, trains, airports and other public spaces.
Participants recommended expanding Nazrul talent search programmes, workshops and research activities across districts and divisions, while establishing Nazrul Cultural Centres abroad. They also emphasised strengthening Nazrul studies from primary education through university level.
According to the speakers, alongside music, poetry and dance, seminars, research, training programmes, instrumental performances and digital content production should be encouraged to engage future generations with Nazrul's authentic works. They also urged that the initiatives undertaken during "Nazrul Year" continue as long-term national cultural programmes.
The meeting further proposed digital preservation of Nazrul's works, wider media promotion, an online research platform, public monuments, a Nazrul Cultural Museum and an official theme song for the year-long celebration. Participants also called for greater opportunities for emerging artists alongside established performers.
Minister for Cultural Affairs Nitai Roy Chowdhury attended the programme and said culture and education remain essential tools in building a society free from drugs, extremism and radicalism. He also emphasised the need to strengthen Nazrul's presence in school curricula from the primary level.
State Minister for Cultural Affairs Ali Newaz Mahmud Khayem attended as special guest, while the session was chaired by Cultural Affairs Secretary Kaniz Moula. Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy Secretary Mohammad Zakir Hossain delivered the vote of thanks.
Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy Director General and poet Sheikh Rezauddin Ahmed (Rezauddin Stalin) said year-long programmes have been planned to mark "Nazrul Year 2026–2027," adding that recommendations from artists and researchers would help make the initiatives more inclusive, technology-driven and impactful.
Around 400 singers, dancers, recitation artists and Nazrul researchers participated in the event, with presentations from Prof. Dr. Nashid Kamal, Yakub Ali Khan, Gazi Abdul Hakim, Seema Islam, Lubna Mariam, Khairul Anam Shakil, Sadia Afrin Mallik, AFM Hayat Ullah, Saju Ahmed, Ferdous Ara, Prof. Priyanka Gop, Mahmudul Hasan, Kalpana Anam, Fatema Tuz Zohra, Sujit Mostafa and others.
//DBTECH/BTN/EH//
