Kabi Nazrul Institute
# Kabi Nazrul Institute

The Nazrul Institute is Bangladesh's national institute, established in February 1985. Its headquarters are located in Kabi Bhaban in Dhanmondi, Dhaka, Bangladesh. It fulfills a number of roles; promoting the literary work of the poet Kazi Nazrul Islam, recognising excellence in literature research by conferring awards, and public engagement.

## Structure and governance

The institute is headed by an executive director who has a trustee board to advise them. The first executive director of the institute was Mohammad Mahfuzullah and the first chairman of the trustee board was Mohammad Nasiruddin.

## Functions and activities

According to the Nazrul Institute Ordinance of 12 June 1984, the functions and objectives of the institute regarding the poet are:

* Conduct study and research on the writings
* Compile, preserve, edit and publish poems and songs
* Organise discussion meetings, lectures, seminars, conferences
* Run a library containing books on the poet's life, literature, music, records of his songs, tapes, films
* Prepare musical notations and make gramophone records, tape records, films
* Impart training in singing and reciting songs
* Confer awards to scholars for outstanding research

The institute has preserved around 1,500 authentic Nazrul Geeti songs.

### Nazrul Award

Since 1985, the institute has been conferring two awards each year to dedicated Nazrul artistes and researchers. A partial list of the winners are:

* 2007 – Ismat Ara and Mohammad Abdul Quayum
* 2009 – Razia Sultana and Shaheen Samad
* 2012 – Anupam Hayat and MA Mannan
* 2013 – Khilkhil Kazi and Nashid Kamal
* 2014 – Serajul Islam Choudhury and Shabnam Mustari
* 2015 – Sadya Afreen Mallick and Abu Hena Abdul Awal
* 2016 – Fatema Tuz Zohra, Ferdous Ara and Leena Taposh Khan
* 2017 – Khairul Anam Shakil and Rashidun Nabi
