Nazrul’s Letter to Shyamaprasad Mukherjee
Original in Bangla by: Kazi Nazrul Islam
Translated by: Subrata Kumar Das
[ Shyamaprasad Mukherjee ( 1901 – 1953 ) was the son of Ashutosh Mukherjee,
former Vice-Chancellor of Calcutta University. After securing the D.Lit.
Shyamaprasadjoined the office of Vice−Chancellor of the University. In the year
1941 he became the Finance Minister of Huq Ministry. Eminent Nazrul researcher
Ajharuddin Khan writes in his book:
Though the poet’s tongue was inactive, he could be understood somehow. He
talked about his meeting with Fazlul Huq who owed some money to Nazrul in
respect of his job in Novojug. The then Prime Minister of Bengal Mr. Huq gave
him only some pieces of advice, let alone financial help. On the other hand he
made him associated with Shyamaprasad Mukherjee. Most of the honourable
personalities of the then Muslim society like Mr. Tamisuddin, Education
Minister, Najimuddin, Hossain Shahid Sohorawardy, Maolana Akram Khan etc
did nothing for him. Only Haidar was trying to meet the financial problem of the
sick poet. Shyamaprasad is the only person who came forward for the
medication of the poet and tried to cease the expenses of the family. Noted
heads of the Muslim community did not even come to see Nazrul. Escaping many
appointments, amid these one was in Ashutosh College in remembrance of his
father, Shyamaprasad went to meet the poet in his house and assured the
family. While asked about his illness the poet told something indistinct. Then he
wrote on a paper that he wanted to visit a health-resort ⎯he wished to go to
Pury or Madhupur. According to the advice of the poet’s physician Dr.
D.C.Sarkar, Shyamaprasad arranged everything for the poet’s visit to Madhupur.
(Bangla Sahitye Nazrul(Nazrul in Bangla Literature, First Supreme Edition, 1997, P-210 )
There is a debate on the date the letter. According to Sufi Zulfikar Haidar, a
well-wisher and author of Nazrul Protiva(Talents of Nazrul), Nazrul went to
Madhupur on 20.7.42. Some opine that the date of this letter may wrongly be
written 17.7.42 instead of 17.8.42. The letter was first published in the weekly
Desh, Calcutta dated 13 April, 1991 along with the hand writing of the poet. ]
Madhupur
17.7.42
Sreecharoneshu,
Take my respectful salute. I feel much relief and relaxation coming at Madhupur. The
head-ache has ceased much. Inactivity of the tongue has ceased a little. If you didn’t
manage my coming here so quickly, possibly I would die in the hospital like the poet
Madhusudan. For five years my wife is bed-ridden due to paralysis. I’ve brought her here
in much trouble. I owe taka seven thousand for her ailment here ⎯the lion’s share of it is
from the Marowaries and Kabuliwalas. When Huq Shaheb came to me and began to cry
‘Save me. Muslim students are not letting meout in the streets,’ then I consoled the
students of Muslim League and the leaders ofthe youth. Then I prayed to all the Muslim
members of the Assembly. They agreed to my prayer. 74 members agreed to support Huq
Shaheb. Some days before mytaking the responsibility of Novojug I got a contract of
taka seven thousand for ‘Music Direction’. Huq Shaheb and many of his Hindu-Muslim
supporters told me that they would repay thatdebt. I cancelled the contract of the film.
Later on when after some two or three monthsI did not get the money, I told Huq Shaheb
‘You manage a loan for me from a bank on small interest. You’ll deduct my payment of
fifteen days every month’. Huq Shaheb became glad, ‘ I’ll manage in fifteen days’. Seven
months have passed after that. His supportersshowed indifference. You know in the
‘secretariat’ Huq Shahebtold before you, ‘All debts of Kazi must be paid’. You also told
me ‘That’ll be’. I began to work withoutany anxiety. You know for the unity of HinduMuslim I’ve prayed throughout my life through my poems, prose and songs. Those have got place in literature. Those songs are sung in every place of the country. I’ve united the
Hindu-Muslim students and youths for the coalition ministry ifthe Huq ministry
dissolves. One day Huq Shaheb told me “Which money?” I came back silently.
Afterwards I’ve never gone to him. When you said in the secretariat’, ‘That’ll be’, I
remained in firm belief from then that I’ll certainly get money. Among the coalition
ministry I love and respect only you from the core of my heart ⎯no other one else. I
know, it is we who’ll liberate India. Then Bangladesh will remember Subhash Bose and
you first. You’ll be the true heroes of thiscountry. Please accept my gratefulness and
thanks from my inner heart. I know I’ll get the money from Hindu-Muslim Equity Fund
for my release from the debts. Your words will never prove false. I’ve got taka five
hundred. Please send me taka five hundred more as early as possible, or bring it with you
when you’ll come to Madhupur. I’m to pay money for the decree of the court. I haven’t
been able to pay for three or four months. They may issue body warrant. Your greatness,
your love for me, your courage, and fearlessness blend with every part of my body and
mind. Accept my joyous salute at your lotus feet.
Respectfully,
Kazi Nazrul Islam
To email Subrata Kumar Das: subratakdas@yahoo.com
