Revolution through songs

Nazrul’s sense of rebellion also expressed itself in his musical compositions. Breaking all conventions he wrote on multiple musical traditions ranging from classical to folk, from Gausol to south Indian musical tradition.

Nazrul was the pioneer of the Bengali Gausol music. In his songs, he used many Arabic and Fersi words. Nazrul’s Islamic songs were popularized by prominent singer Abbas Uddin Ahmed. As a result, many conservative Muslims welcomed Nazrul’s music in their society. Nazrul has a vast knowledge of music. Dipily Nag a singer of “Nazrul-Gity” says,

“It is difficult for me to cover the dimension of Nazrul’s composition. It starts from songs on nationalism, many kinds of folk song, songs on religion, songs on different situations and countries and of course on human begins.”

Nazrul proved that songs could be a powerful weapon in revolutionary activity. Nazrul’s songs were a great source of inspiration, which is rare in Bengali literature. Nazrul’s poem gave courage to the revolutionist, which is a very important element in the fight against the colonialist. The great revolutionist Netaji Subhash Bose said in the convention that,