Lalon remembered on 132nd death anniv

Devotees paid tribute to the late mystic bard Fakir Lalon Shah participating in different programmes organised across the country to observe Lalon’s 132nd death anniversary on Monday.

The Lalon Academy and Kushtia district administration in association with the ministry of cultural affairs lifted the curtain on a three-day event at Lalon Akhra at village Chheuria under Kumarkhali upazila in Kushtia on Monday. The event was suspended in the past two years due to the Covid-19 crisis.

Thousands of devotees from both home and abroad are participating in the event, which is featuring Lalon Fair, discussion and rendition of Lalon songs by artistes of Lalon Academy and bauls from across the country.

The Lalon Fair is featuring nearly one thousand stalls displaying traditional attires, sweets, pottery, toys and others.

Ruling Awami League joint general secretary and lawmaker for Kushtia-3 constituency Mahbubul Alam Hanif inaugurated the festival as chief guest on Monday evening. Later, a discussion programme on Lalon’s philosophy was held at the venue.

Mahbubul Alam Hanif addressed the programme as the chief guest while Awami League lawmaker for Kushtia-1 constituency AKM Sarwar Jahan Badshah, Awami League lawmaker for Kushtia-4 constituency Selim Altaf George, Kushtia’s superintendent of police M Khairul Alam, Kushtia zilla parishad chairman Rabiul Islam, Kushtia district Awami League general secretary Asgar Ali, Kumarkhali upazila parishad chairman Abdul Mannan Khan, Kumarkhali municipal mayor Samsuzzaman Arun and Kushtia Press Club president Rashedul Islam Biplob were present as special guests.

Islamic University’s former pro-vice-chancellor, also the professor of the IU English department, M Shahinoor Rahman was present as chief discussant at the event, which was chaired by Kushtia district commissioner Mohammad Saidul Islam.

Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA) also observed Lalon’s 132nd death anniversary by organising a Sadhumela on its premises at Segunbagicha in the capital on Monday.

The event featured discussion and a cultural show.

Jahidul Kabir Liton was present as chief discussant at the discussion, which was presided over by the Director General of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy Liaquat Ali Lucky.

Bauls, namely Siddiqur Rahman, Golam Mustafa, Iva Baul, Faruk Nuri, Rita Mandal, Lina Khatun and others paid tribute to Lalon by singing folk songs at the event.

The Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal, Jasad, observed Lalon’s death anniversary organising cultural shows, processions and discussions on Lalon across the country.

Jasad central committee organised a discussion and cultural show at its central office on Bangabandhu Avenue at Gulistan in the capital. Jasad president Hasanul Haq Inu and general secretary Shirin Akhter, among others, spoke at the event.