India, Bangladesh deepen cultural ties around Nazrul Borsho celebrations

Dhaka,UPDATED: Sep 7, 2026 09:46 IST

India and Bangladesh on Sunday discussed ways to deepen cultural cooperation, including exchanges in classical music, folk art and heritage conservation, with a focus on Dhaka's year-long celebrations of revolutionary poet Kazi Nazrul Islam's legacy.

The discussions took place during a meeting between Indian High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi and Bangladesh Cultural Affairs Minister Nitai Roy Chowdhury. According to a social media post by the Indian High Commission in Dhaka, the two sides spoke about the "deep-rooted cultural connection" between the peoples of the two countries and the need to strengthen cultural engagement between the neighbours.

Minister of State for Cultural Affairs Ali Nawaz Mahmud Khayyam was also present at the meeting. The mission said the two sides "discussed potential cooperation and exchanges in the fields of classical music, folk art, heritage conservation, institutional linkages and joint cultural programmes and conferences, especially as part of Nazrul Borsho celebrations, which are all aimed at promoting people-to-people ties".

Nazrul Borsho, or Nazrul Year, is being observed in Bangladesh from May 25, 2026, to May 25, 2027, to mark the 127th birth anniversary of the country's national poet. The year-long observance seeks to highlight his literary, musical and cultural legacy through programmes across Bangladesh and international initiatives.

Nazrul, popularly known as the "Bidrohi Kobi" or rebel poet, was born in 1899 in Churulia in present-day West Bengal. His writings spoke of freedom, equality, resistance to oppression and communalism, while his songs and poetry became an important part of Bengal's cultural and political life during the Indian freedom movement. West Bengal officially commemorates his birth anniversary, Churulia preserves his memory through the Nazrul Academy, and his Nazrul Geeti remains a key part of Bengal's musical heritage.

The meeting underlined efforts by India and Bangladesh to expand cultural exchanges and cooperation, particularly during the Nazrul Borsho celebrations, while building stronger people-to-people ties.

With PTI Inputs

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