Kazi Nazrul Islam's Journalism: A Critique

(Hardback)

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Celebrated as the national poet of Bangladesh and fondly commemorated in India as the Rebel Poet, Kazi Nazrul Islam (18991976) is widely known for his poetry and music, although his political philosophy and anti-colonial revolutionary sentiments are best expressed in his journalistic writings. Nazruls journalistic career spans across three key newspapers: Nabajug, Dhumketu and Langol. Editorials in Nabajug addressed a diverse range of subjects, including untouchability, racial discrimination, power structure and the importance of communal harmony. Dhumketu, perhaps the most significant amongst Nazruls revolutionary contributions, became a testimonial to the reclamation of Indias complete freedom, which eventually proved perilous for Nazrul. Langol, the mouthpiece of the Labour Swaraj Party, was the first Bengali paper specifically for and by the working class. It provided voice to the labourers and peasants, speaking self-reflexively about the nations agro-economy. Kazi Nazrul Islams Journalism brings together for the first time in English Nazruls editorials published in the colonial Indian subcontinent and showcases Nazruls far-reaching views on subjects close to his heart. By critically examining these essays, Arka Deb establishes Nazruls relevance in the current times.

Author Bio

Arka Deb is the editor in chief of inscript.me. He has worked as a senior journalist at CNN-News18, Asianet News and Anandabazar Patrika. His interests include archival projects, particularly on art, culture and current affairs.