JHENIDAH, Mar 5: Lalon Swaran Utsab (memorial festival), as it starts every year with the beginning of Dole Purnima during Bengali month of Falgun, kicked off Tuesday evening.
The event is being held at Chheuria, Kushtia, Lalon's shrine where fans, followers of his philosophy, lovers of his music from all over the country are meeting, playing music and having discussions and exchanging views among themselves.
In observance of the event, a five-day programme has been organised by Lalon Academy, Kushtia in association with the local district administration and the Ministry of Cultural Affairs.
Md. Abdus Samad, Divisional Commissioner of Khulna, had a discussion on Lalon's philosophy and his teaching, which is timely for removing the chaos prevailing in our country now, and inaugurated the function in the evening.
S M Monir-Uz-Zaman, Range DIG, Bangladesh Police, Khulna, Brigadier General Dewan Md. Shahidul Islam, Regional Commander, BGB, Jessore, Prolay Chichim, SP, Kushtia, KM Rahatul Islam, Chief Nirbahi Officer, Zila parishad, Kushtia and Professor Rabindranath Biswas, Ideal College, Dhaka and Alam Ara Jui, among others, addressed the session.
The function was presided over by Syed Belal Hossain, DC and president, Lalon Academy, Kushtia.
Hundreds of Lalon singers, including Kangalini Sufia presented songs at the night.
Baul King Lalon held that God is hidden in the heart of man, and neither priest nor prophet, nor the ritual of any organised religion, helps man to find him there. The search for God is one which everybody must carry out for himself.
Lalon is considered as an important teacher in lessons of human life and philosophy. Song was Saint Lalon's teaching instrument as he continued his search for God.
Though fond of both Islamism and Hinduism, Lalon evolved into a religion focused on the individual and centred on a spiritual quest for God from within. He came to believe that God lives within each of us.
Lalon embraced elements from Hinduism and Sufi Islam, discarded what did not suit him and developed his own unique belief system from what remained.
Great mystic bard Lalon (1774-1890) was born at the village Harishpur, under the present district Jhenidah. Ultimately through many ups and downs of life, varied experiences and devotional pursuits, he settled at Chheuria village in Kushtia.
Chief guest Abudus Samad said, "Mysticism of Lalon's songs largely remains unrevealed and unexplored until today."
The inner meaning of Lalon songs caters to peace and tranquility, glorifies humanity. Lalon's songs which are countless were passed on orally through his disciples and mostly unwritten. Only a limited number of songs that could be preserved were later transcribed by his followers.
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