National celebration of Lalon Utshab underway in Kushtia
Since Lalon’s death on the first day of Kartik in 1297 of the Bengali calendar, the Lalon Academy and the Kushtia district administration, supported by the Ministry of Culture, have organised the commemoration each year.
The three-day national celebration of Lalon Smaron Utshab (Lalon Memorial Festival) began on Friday in Cheuria, Kushtia – home to the revered Lalon Akhra – marking the 135th death anniversary of mystic saint and philosopher Fakir Lalon Shah.
The event, being observed as a national day for the first time, was inaugurated via video conference by Adviser for Cultural Affairs Mostofa Sarwar Farooki.
The opening ceremony, which began at 4pm, featured a discussion session attended by Adviser for Fisheries and Livestock Farida Akhter, Cultural Affairs Secretary Mofidur Rahman, and Director General of the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy Rezauddin Stalin.
Renowned Indian literary theorist and Columbia University professor Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak was the chief discussant at the session.
"Lalon Fakir was a person of a non-communal spirit. He placed humans above all divisions of religion, caste, and race and loved humanity.
Lalon's philosophy continues to spread the light of humanity across the world today," she said.
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Poet and writer Farhad Mazhar described this year's national observance as a historic milestone, suggesting that a world-class research centre be established in Cheuria to promote Lalon's philosophy globally.
Adviser Farida Akhter said, "We return to this soil again and again. Lalon's songs and philosophy teach us the lesson of humanity. Today, Farida Parveen is no longer with us, but she spread Lalon's songs throughout the world."
Cultural Affairs Adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki remarked, "Lalon was a simple man, but his thinking was great. The initiation of this national celebration is a new chapter. In the future, it will be held on a much larger scale."
Following the discussion, noted artistes performed Lalon's devotional songs.
Since Lalon's death on the first day of Kartik in 1297 of the Bengali calendar, the Lalon Academy and the Kushtia district administration, supported by the Ministry of Culture, have organised the commemoration each year.
This year, with the festival gaining national status, thousands of devotees and visitors from across the country and abroad have gathered at the Akhera.
Temporary shelters have been set up along the banks of the Kali River and throughout the Akhera grounds, where Baul songs and discussions on humanity continue day and night.
