Article Title: Fakir Lalon Shah
18-10-2022
History & Art and Culture Prelims Plus
Why is in news? Bangladesh: 132nd death anniversary of Fakir Lalon Shah observed
The mystic saint and bard of Bangladesh Lalon Shah was remembered by devotees across the country on his 132nd death anniversary yesterday.
Thousands of devotees congregated at his tomb in Kushtia to pay their respect to the great saint who spread the message of humanity through his songs and philosophy.
Fakir Lalon Shah is considered the most prominent figure of the Baul tradition of Bangladesh and India.
He is believed to be born in 1774 though no written records exist. He died in 1890.
He was born Hindu but he was raised by a Muslim family after he was abandoned by his own family.
Fakir Lalon Shah songs talk about humanism, love and equality going beyond the limitations imposed by religion, caste and creed.
He composed thousands of songs which were compiled later by his disciples. His songs celebrate the spirit of humanism blending elements of Islam, Vaisnavism, Shahajiya Buddhism and Jainism.
He is believed to have died on the first day of the Bangla month of Kartik in 1890.
He created and composed more than 2000 songs which were popularised by Bauls who sang his songs while wandering in the countryside of Bengal and parts of Assam of those days.
He inspired and influenced people like Rabindranath Tagore, Kazi Nazrul Islam and the American poet Allen Ginsberg among others
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