The Kazi Nazrul Islam Memorial Award 2024 was presented to Bangladeshi writer Abu Sayed on the occasion of the 125th birth anniversary of rebel poet Kazi Nazrul Islam. The award was given on May 19, Sunday evening, at the ‘Nabin’ seminar hall in Kolkata’s ICMACARD. Former MP and popular writer Dr. Moinul Hassan, former professor of the Department of Political Science at Calcutta  University Dr. Kumaresh Chakraborty, poet Emadul Haq Nur, physician Parthasarathi Mukherjee, Nazrul’s family member and musician Nupur Kazi, writer Arfan Ali Biswas, essayist Sona Bandopadhyay, and editor of Udar Akash magazine and publication Faruque Ahamed handed over the crest, certificate, and prize money to Abu Sayed.

Professor Dr. Md. Asif Iqbal read out the citation. The program was attended by eminent educationists, Nazrul researchers, writers, musicians, and Nazrul enthusiasts. A one-minute silence was observed on May 19, Language Day, in memory of the martyrs. The discussants spoke on the occasion. A wonderful cultural program was held, including recitation of Nazrul’s poems, songs, and music. Chhayanat (Kolkata) president and Nazrul singer Somrita Mallik and Shamsad Begum presented beautiful music. Subrata Ghosh Roy, Aranya Spondon Bhadura, Tista De, Indrani Lahiri, Sukanya Roy, Debjani Biswas, and Manirul Islam, among others, recited Nazrul’s poems. Poets Muztaba Al Mamun, Almgir Rahman, Prabir Ghosh Roy, Samima Mallik, Liton Rakib, Md. Hasanuzzaman, Zakir Hossain, Shahjahan Shaju and Arfina presented their self-composed poems. The program was conducted by Udar Akash Editor-poet and researcher University of Kalyani Faruque Ahamed.