Dhaka: The 41^st death anniversary of national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam, popularly known as Bidrohi Kobi, is being observed on Sunday across the country with due respect.

The poet passed away in Dhaka at the age of 77 after suffering from a long ailment on August 27, 1976.

Different socio-cultural and political organisations are observing the day with different programmes while various televisions are airing special programmes on his works and life.

The programmes started with Qurankhwani after Fazr prayers at Dhaka University (DU) Central Mosque by different organisations.

Later, teachers and students of the university, led by Vice-Chancellor Dr AAMS Arefin Siddique, and other political and non-political organisations placed wreaths at the grave of the national poet in the morning.

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader, Cultural Affairs Minister Asaduzzaman Noor and BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir paid homage to the poet at his grave.

Besides, special prayers were offered at the poet’s grave located on the DU campus while a discussion was held there. DU VC AAMS Arefin Siddique presided over the event while professor and chairman of Bangla Department Dr Bismadeb Chowdhury conducted the programme.

Bangla Academy will organise a solo-lecture session followed by a cultural show at poet Shamsur Rahman auditorium at 4:00 pm on this day.

Nazrul Academy arranged three-day programme featuring discussion, musical event, campaigning for Nazrul’s works to the mass people and prayer programme which began on August 25.

‘Nazrul Padak 2016’ conferred by Nazrul Institute will be given on the day in a programme at the National Museum where Cultural Minister Asaduzzaman Noor will be present as chief guest.

Nazrul’s powerful poems had inspired the people to fight against all kinds of odds and injustice and repression during the colonial rule while his songs and poems were also a great source of inspiration for the freedom fighters during the country’s Liberation War in 1971.

Kazi Nazrul Islam was born on May 24 in 1899 at Churulia village in Asansol subdivision of Burdwan district of West Bengal, India.