Love or Rebellion: Incorporation of Foreign Myths in Kazi Nazrul’s Poetry

This article critically examines Kazi Nazrul Islam’s innovative incorporation of foreign myths in his poetry, positioning him as a pivotal Bengali poet following Rabindranath Tagore. Centered on the powerful themes of love and rebellion, the study reveals how Nazrul skillfully weaves mythological elements from diverse cultural traditions to deepen and expand his poetic expression. Employing a qualitative approach, it analyzes five seminal poems— ‘Bidrohi’ (The Rebel), ‘Barangana’ (Prostitute), ‘Nari’ (Woman), ‘Manush’ (Man), and ‘Daridra’ (Poverty)—to uncover the thematic and symbolic significance of myth within his oeuvre. The findings demonstrate that for Nazrul, myths transcended mere literary ornamentation; they served as vital vehicles for articulating a universal humanist vision that defied communal and national divides during the colonial era. His mythic imagery enriched Bengali literary praxis and played a transformative role in shaping cultural consciousness and inspiring political resistance. Ultimately, this study underscores the enduring emancipatory power of Nazrul’s poetic myth-making, affirming its profound impact on socio-political thoughts. Keywords: Kazi Nazrul Islam, Bengali poetry, myth, foreign myths, love and rebellion, incorporation, emancipation.