The mystic sage’s song from Lalon fest

Thousands of Bauls and Lalon admirers of the country attended the three-day Lalon festival at Lalon Akhra in Kushtia to mark the 126th death anniversary of the mystic sage.

Singing spiritual songs, the Bauls paid homage to Lalon at his grave.

In the video above, we present to you a performance of these Bauls.

The Bauls consider ‘Lalon Akhra’ or ‘Lalon’s shrine’ as a sacred spot where they can free themselves of all sorrows and misery through Sadhan-Bhajan (spiritual songs).

The festival took place between October 16 to 18.

Scholars at the festival noted that Lalon’s philosophy was unique in the field of philosophy. He looked at life in his own way as his lack of education left him disconnected from philosophies of the world that existed in his time.

“Lalon’s credos have a direct relevance to our times. His importance as a minstrel can be viewed in the local and global context in present social and cultural ambience, when the whole human situation is fast deteriorating, hatred rules the roost, and culture suffers at the hands of intolerance, sectarianism, fundamentalism, orthodoxy, and fanaticism,” said Professor Dr Rashid Askari, a writer and columnist and also the current vice-chancellor of Kushtia Islamic University. 

The true spirit of the songs can help us stand against the long shadow of ignorance, superstition, and dogmatism and lead people of various creeds, ideas, and dogmas to peace and happiness in this age of social unrest, political hostility, cultural aggression and religious intolerance, he said. 

Also read: Opinion: Lalon, the Divine spark that enlightens Bengal