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Baul Samrat Lalon Shah was born on October 17, 1774 in Bhandra village of Chapra union in Kumarkhali upazila of Kushtia district (it was also a subdivision of Nadia district in undivided India). There are many controversies about the name of his parents and in which caste he was born. His religion and parents' names are different biographies. I didn't mention it because it was different.
Lalan Fakir was a Bengali with many talents. He was awarded various titles like Fakir, Lalan, Lalan Shah, Lalan Sai, Mahatma Lalan. He was a spiritual fakir, philosopher, songwriter, composer, singer and other professions. On the other hand, he was a humanitarian, social reformer. Lalan Fakir is said to be the pioneer of Baul songs. Fakir Lalan Shah became very popular in the nineteenth century. The main reason for Lalan Fakir's popularity was his humanist philosophy.
Lalan was a humanitarian saint. He who moved away from all kinds of racial differences of his own religion, caste, caste and gave humanity the highest place. He used to compose songs with this non-communal attitude. Fakir Lalon Shah's songs and philosophies are many famous poets like Rabindranath Tagore, revolutionary Kazi Nazrul Islam, Allen Ginsberg, Literary, philosophers, intellectuals have slowly influenced countless people. His songs have been sung as Lalangiti by many musicians over the ages. Lalan Fakir was the first in the Indian subcontinent to be given the title of 'Mahatma' 25 years before Gandhi. Lalan Fakir's consort was Visakha.
No verifiable information or details about Lalan Fakir's life have been found anywhere. Nowhere in the 288 songs composed by Lalan, there is no line about his caste, religion, caste and his personal life, parents' names, birth place, siblings etc. But in some songs he calls himself Lalan Fakir. Claimed to be. He said in his song,
How many people cherish what caste in the world?
Lalan says what is the form of caste
I did not see this look.
Some in garlands, some in Tasbi throat,
That's why the caste is different.
When going or coming,
Who is the caste mark?
Genealogy of collected-raised fakirs
Famous writers have commented on Lalan Fakir's religion:
*Famous novelist Sunil Gangopadhyay said,
Although Lalan was religious, he was not interested in following the rituals of any particular religion. Breaking the bonds of all religions, he placed humanity at the highest place in life.
*While giving the introduction of Fakir Lalan, Sudhir Chandra said, Kangal Harinath knew, Mir Mosharraf Hossain knew him, he used to travel in Thakud's houseboat, famous writer Akshay Kumar Maitreya had seen Lalon face to face, heard his music, but still could not know Lalon Fakir's caste identity, lineage or religion.
In a song written by Lalon on religion, he asked,
When will such a society be created?T
he day when Hindus Muslims Buddhists Christians
Jati Gotra Nahi Rabe.
Or he wants to know when the society will be created where there will be no different caste religions such as Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist, Christian. The only identity is that we are human beings. And at the root of all religions, human service is the true religion.
During Lalan Fakir's time, oppression, people's lack of protest, religious bigotry, greed, self-centeredness pushed the society into darkness. He wrote songs with various obstacles and superstitions in the society. This is why Lalan Fakir was called into question by many noble landowners, historians, Editors, intellectuals, writers and even the illiterate common man of the village were attracted.
Lalon Fakir died of old age on 17th October 1890 in Cheuriya village of Chapra union of Kumarkhali upazila of Kushtia district, which is now known as Akhra Bari. World poet Rabindranath Tagore visited Lalon Fakir's Akhara home 2 years after his death and was influenced by his philosophy and composed 150 songs. Various researches have been done and are being done in the country and abroad on Fakir's music and philosophy.
In 1963, Lalon Folk Sahitya Center was established around Akhara Bari in Chewria. In 1978, after the dissolution of Lalon Folk Sahitya Center, Lalan Academy was established under Shilpakala Academy. And from Lalon Academy, the songs of Lalon Fakir have been preserved by various people including Bauls, artists and singers. Or Baul Lalan. On his death day, a memorial festival is held at the Akhra house in Cheuriya. A large number of people from home and abroad come here every year to remember the vision of this spiritual saint on the day of Lalan Memorial Festival and Dol Purnima. Since 2010, a five-day long festival called "Lalan Utsav" is held at Chewria Akhra house in the chanting of Fakir Lalan Swaran.
Lalan says what is the form of caste
I did not see this look.
Some in garlands, some in Tasbi throat,
That's why the caste is different.
When going or coming,
Who is the caste mark?
Genealogy of collected-raised fakirs
Famous writers have commented on Lalan Fakir's religion:
*Famous novelist Sunil Gangopadhyay said,
Although Lalan was religious, he was not interested in following the rituals of any particular religion. Breaking the bonds of all religions, he placed humanity at the highest place in life.
*While giving the introduction of Fakir Lalan, Sudhir Chandra said, Kangal Harinath knew, Mir Mosharraf Hossain knew him, he used to travel in Thakud's houseboat, famous writer Akshay Kumar Maitreya had seen Lalon face to face, heard his music, but still could not know Lalon Fakir's caste identity, lineage or religion.
In a song written by Lalon on religion, he asked,
When will such a society be created?T
he day when Hindus Muslims Buddhists Christians
Jati Gotra Nahi Rabe.
Or he wants to know when the society will be created where there will be no different caste religions such as Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist, Christian. The only identity is that we are human beings. And at the root of all religions, human service is the true religion.
During Lalan Fakir's time, oppression, people's lack of protest, religious bigotry, greed, self-centeredness pushed the society into darkness. He wrote songs with various obstacles and superstitions in the society. This is why Lalan Fakir was called into question by many noble landowners, historians, Editors, intellectuals, writers and even the illiterate common man of the village were attracted.
Lalon Fakir died of old age on 17th October 1890 in Cheuriya village of Chapra union of Kumarkhali upazila of Kushtia district, which is now known as Akhra Bari. World poet Rabindranath Tagore visited Lalon Fakir's Akhara home 2 years after his death and was influenced by his philosophy and composed 150 songs. Various researches have been done and are being done in the country and abroad on Fakir's music and philosophy.
In 1963, Lalon Folk Sahitya Center was established around Akhara Bari in Chewria. In 1978, after the dissolution of Lalon Folk Sahitya Center, Lalan Academy was established under Shilpakala Academy. And from Lalon Academy, the songs of Lalon Fakir have been preserved by various people including Bauls, artists and singers. Or Baul Lalan. On his death day, a memorial festival is held at the Akhra house in Cheuriya. A large number of people from home and abroad come here every year to remember the vision of this spiritual saint on the day of Lalan Memorial Festival and Dol Purnima. Since 2010, a five-day long festival called "Lalan Utsav" is held at Chewria Akhra house in the chanting of Fakir Lalan Swaran.
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