Bring back Lalon's manuscript

Baul Samrat Fakir Lalon Shah, one of the greatest mystic poets of Bengal, composed his songs orally, which were later transcribed by his disciples. During his lifetime, a few of his followers, including Bholai Shah, compiled about five hundred of Lalon's songs in two notebooks. One of these notebooks, containing the original manuscripts of 314 songs, was taken to Kolkata by Rabindranath Tagore, the then zamindar of Shilaidaha, and is now preserved at Shantiniketan.

Every year, on the occasion of Lalon's death anniversary and memorial festival, over a hundred thousand devotees and researchers from home and abroad gather in Cheuriya, Kushtia, to honour his legacy. On behalf of all admirers, a collective appeal is made to bring back the original manuscript of Lalon's songs from Shantiniketan and preserve it at the Lalon Academy in Kushtia. Such an initiative would greatly contribute to research and safeguard an invaluable part of our cultural heritage.

I therefore urge the authorities concerned, particularly the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, to take the necessary steps to facilitate the return of the manuscript to the Lalon Academy in Cheuriya, Kushtia, for proper preservation and display.

Muhammad Shafayat Hussain

Department of Physics

Kushtia Government College, Kushtia

kobishafayat@gmail.com