Equality Poet Nazrul: Relevance and Philosophical Analysis of the Poem 'Samyabadi'

 

Introduction:-

In the long history of Bengali literature, Kazi Nazrul Islam is the name of a unique, eternally rebellious and communist spirit. His writings have always been thunderous in favor of the exploited, deprived and oppressed people. His poetry collection 'Samyabadi', published in 1925, is a groundbreaking and revolutionary creation in the history of Bengali literature. In this poem, he gave priority to 'man' and 'humanity' without being confined to the narrow boundaries of any particular religion, caste, race or class. Nazrul's communism was not a borrowed political theory, it was his pure love for people from the depths of his heart.

Naming and background of the poem:-

The word 'Samyabadi' means one who believes in the equal rights of all. In the then British-ruled India, there was colonial exploitation on one side, and religious bigotry, casteism and severe inequality between rich and poor on the other. In this social and political background, Nazrul appeared with the message of human liberation. He felt that true freedom was not only political liberation, but also the establishment of social and economic equality for every person in society.

Summary or brief summary of the entire poem:-

Kazi Nazrul Islam's 'Samyavadi' poetry collection is basically a unique collection of protests against humanity, equality and exploitation. In various poems of this poem, the poet has risen above the narrowness of caste, religion and gender inequality and has strongly highlighted the superiority and rights of man. The entire poem is basically a universal document for the creation of a non-communal and equal society by eliminating human differences.

 Main idea and underlying philosophy:-

The main basis of the poem 'Samyavadi' is the equality and non-communalism of humans. The poet firmly believed that all people in the world are one and there can be no identity greater than humans. In the first poem of this poem 'Samyavadi', he loudly declares:

("গাহি সাম্যের গান—মানুষের চেয়ে বড় কিছু নাই, নহে কিছু মহীয়ান!নাই দেশ-কাল-পাত্রের ভেদ, অভেদ ধর্মজাতি,সব দেশে, সব কালে, ঘরে-ঘরে তিনি মানুষের জ্ঞাতি।")

"The song of equality—

There is nothing greater than humans, no one greater!

Neither the differences of country, time, or vessel, nor the differences of religion or caste,

In all countries, in all times, in every house, he is a relative of humans."

This philosophy of Nazrul is a modern and revolutionary transformation of the Upanishad's 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' or Chandidas's saying "Man is above all, truth is above him".

 Jihad against religious narrow-mindedness:

Through the poems 'God', 'Manush', 'Temple-Mosque' etc. of this poem, Nazrul has dealt a severe blow against the prevailing religious dogma and hypocrisy of the society. When the mullahs and priests use the places of worship for their own interests and push the common people away, the poet declares the human heart as the greatest place of pilgrimage. According to him, no mosque, temple or church can be holier than the human heart. He strongly condemns the mentality of turning away hungry people and locking the places of worship.

Class struggle and the rights of the working people:-

One of the best poems of 'Samyabadi' poetry is 'Coolie-Laborer'. Nazrul stood against the way coolies, laborers, blacksmiths, potters and ordinary workers were exploited by the rich class in the then capitalist society. He showed that those whose tireless work and blood in their hearts make the steam boilers run, and the buildings are built, are the most neglected and 'most despicable' in society. Nazrul warned the exploiters:

("তব অট্টালিকা কার খুনে রাঙা?— ঠাওর বিনে দেখ দেখি,প্রতি ইঁটে ইঁটে লেখা—মানুষের মনন-বেদনা-ক্রন্দন-কথা!")

"Then whose murder is the building?— Look at it without looking,

on every brick it is written—

the thoughts-pains-cry-of the people!"

He gave a clear message that the day has come, this time the exploited people will snatch their rights.

Equality between men and women:-

Nazrul did not only talk about class equality, he was also very progressive in the field of equality between men and women. In the poem 'Nari' of this poem, he recognized the contribution of women along with men with equal dignity. He wrote:

("বিশ্বের যা-কিছু মহান সৃষ্টি চির-কল্যাণকর,অর্ধেক তার করিয়াছে নারী, অর্ধেক তার নর।")

"Whatever great creations in the world are eternally beneficial,

half of them have been done by women, half by men."

 He has strongly criticized the patriarchal mentality of imprisoning and oppressing women and has demanded equal rights for women in the progress of civilization.

Relevance of the poem 'Samyabadi' in the present society:

Although a hundred years have passed since its publication, injustice, oppression, racism and religious violence have not been completely eradicated from society today. Even in the modern era, the gap between rich and poor is increasing at a geometric rate. Violence is still being spread among people in the name of religion. In this toxic situation, the relevance of Nazrul's 'Samyabadi' consciousness has not faded, but has increased many times over. Every line of this poem still shows us the way and inspires us to build a non-communal, humane, liberal and non-discriminatory society and state.

Conclusion:-

Finally, it can be said that Kazi Nazrul Islam's 'Samyabadi' is not just an ordinary poem; it is an eternal manifesto against exploitation and injustice. As long as there is a single hungry person in the world, as long as there is discrimination among people, Nazrul's communist spirit will spread light in the heart of every freedom-loving person. Nazrul will remain immortal in Bengali literature and the history of world humanity through this immortal creation of his.