The 168th birth anniversary of renowned poet Kazi Kaykobad is being observed today, Tuesday (February 25). The poet, famous for his work ''Mahashmashan'', was born on February 25, 1857, at Agla Purba Para village under Nawabganj upazila in Dhaka.
On his birth anniversary, the ''Mahakabi Kaykobad Smriti Sagshad'' (Mahakabi Kaykobad Memorial Society) will pay tribute by visiting his grave at the Old Azimpur Graveyard in Dhaka on Tuesday morning.
Additionally, this year, Kaykobad.com and the "Kaykobad Ke Janun" organization will organize a discussion and poetry recital event at Nawabganj Government Primary School to commemorate the poet's birthday.
Kazi Kaykobad was honored with the title Mahakabi (Great Poet) after the publication of his immortal epic ''Mahashmashan'' in 1904. He wrote many poems, including songs, narrative poems, and epic novels in modern standard Bengali. He was a true Bengali and a Muslim. He lived for 94 years, from 1857 to 1951, and spent 82 of those years dedicated to Bengali literature.
At the age of just 12, Kazi Kaykobad published his first poetry book ''Biroho Bilap'' in 1870. His second book ''Kusum Kanone'' followed in 1873. These two collections helped establish his reputation as a poet. His third poetry book ''Ashrumala'', published in 1896, solidified his position in Bengali literary society, with praise from prominent figures like Nabinchandra Sen and editors of ''Bangabashi'', ''Dhaka Gazette'', and ''Calcutta Gazette''.
Over his lifetime, Kaykobad published works like ''Shiv Mandir'', ''Amiyo Dhara'', ''Mohoram Sharif'', ''Shmashan Bhushm'', and many others. After his death, works like ''Premer Phul'', ''Premer Rani'', ''Prem Parijat'', ''Mandakini Dhara'', and ''Ghaus Pak's Prem Kunj'' were published, bringing the total number of his books to 13.
It is said that after the 1971 Liberation War, some of Kaykobad’s manuscripts were lost among his descendants and have never been recovered. If found, they could have further enriched Bengali literature.
The great poet passed away on July 21, 1951, due to old age at Dhaka Medical College Hospital. He was laid to rest in the Old Azimpur Graveyard.
SR
