
Sakibul Hasan
Researching the multifaceted portrayal of society, culture and contemporary realities in the prose works of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam, Mirajul Islam, a research scholar in the Department of Bengali at Aliah University, has been awarded a PhD.
Titled “Kazi Nazrul Islam: An Exploration of Society and Culture through the Prose Artist’s Perspective,” the research examines various aspects of Nazrul’s essays, short stories, novels, plays, speeches and letters. The research was conducted under the supervision of Professor Abdur Rahim Gazi of the Department of Bengali at Aliah University. Professor Munmun Gangopadhyay of Rabindra Bharati University served as the external examiner.
The seminar and viva voce for the research were recently held at Aliah University’s Park Circus campus, following which Mirajul Islam was awarded the PhD degree.
The study focuses on several important themes in Nazrul’s prose, including colonial rule, the quest for freedom, social inequality, religious narrow-mindedness, communal harmony, education and scientific temper. Novels such as Mrityukshudha and Kuhelika, along with a large number of Nazrul’s essays and letters, were also examined as part of the research.
The research also analyses Nazrul’s distinctive use of language, particularly his blending of tatsama, tadbhava and indigenous Bengali words with Arabic, Persian, regional and foreign vocabulary. His sentence structure, word choice, rhythm, literary devices, satire and varied modes of expression have also been examined to highlight the unique strength of his prose style.
A key feature of Mirajul’s research is its attempt to examine Nazrul’s prose beyond conventional literary analysis and situate it within the broader contexts of society, culture, politics and contemporary life. The study explores how human suffering, exploitation, inequality, the desire for freedom and humanistic values are reflected in Nazrul’s prose.
The research further highlights the close relationship between Nazrul’s literary expression and his deep sense of social responsibility and humanity. It seeks to draw attention to the lesser-explored image of Nazrul as a socially conscious, humane and multifaceted prose writer beyond his widely celebrated identity as the “Rebel Poet.”
Several university teachers, PhD scholars and students attended the viva voce. Among those present were former Dean and Professor of the Department of Bengali Mir Rezaul Karim, Professor Dr Anisur Rahman, Professor Dr Chandmala Khatun, and Dean of the Faculty of Arts Professor A.K.M. Anwaruzzaman.
The research is being regarded as a significant addition to the academic study of Bengali literature and Nazrul scholarship, particularly for its attempt to connect the poet’s prose with society, culture and contemporary life. Mirajul Islam’s work brings several new dimensions of Nazrul’s prose literature to the attention of readers and researchers.