The 37th death anniversary of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam was observed in the capital and elsewhere across the country with due solemnity on Tuesday.
In Dhaka city, different socio-political and cultural organisations observed the day through placing wreaths at the poet's grave and organising different other programmes.
Thousands of people from all walks of life placed wreaths at the grave of the poet on the Dhaka University campus yesterday.
Poet Nazrul's granddaughter Khilkhil Kazi paid her respect at the poet's grave on behalf of the family in the morning.
Minister for Cultural Affairs Abul Kalam Azad, Foreign Minister Dipu Moni, Post and Telecommunications Minister Shahara Khatun and State Minister for Home Shamsul Haque Tuku paid respect to the great poet.
Abul Kalam Azad said, "We must learn from the life of Nazrul and use that to enlighten our politics so we can survive this current crisis our country faces."
BNP Standing Committee member and former minister Rafiqul Islam Miah paid tributes at the poet's grave on behalf of his party.
He said, "Kazi Nazrul Islam, the poet for humanity and equality, had struggled all his life to establish the
rights of the people. We must take lesson from his life and ideals to combat the current crisis in our country."
Dhaka University teachers and students headed by Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr AAMS Arefin Siddique paid respect to Nazrul placing wreaths at his grave.
The DU VC said, "Nazrul's fiery songs and poems had provided strength and hope during our War of Independence in 1971". The new generation must be inspired from Nazrul's life, he said.
Bangla Academy and Nazrul Institute also paid their respect placing wreaths at the grave of the national poet.
Various other organisations also paid respects by placing wreaths at the poet's grave on occasion.
Bangla Academy and Nazrul Institute also organised discussions in observance of the day.
Bangladesh Betar, Bangladesh Television (BTV) and private TV channels aired special programmes highlighting life and works of the national poet.
Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam was born in Churulia in Bardhaman of West Bengal on 11 Jaistha in Bengali year 1306 (May 24, 1899). The ailing poet was brought to Dhaka from Kolkata in 1972.
A poet of equality and humanity, he used to raise his voice to the highest pitch in favour of humanity defying many adversities of his time.
He always stood against all injustices and superstitions.
The poet was not only the symbol of struggle and equality but also a symbol of youthfulness and love. Nazrul's inspirational poems and songs motivated the freedom-loving people of the country towards the nation's War of Independence.