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A social revolution through music

Jamil Mahmud
Bom just 17 years after the Battle of Palashi. Fakir Lalon Shai (1774-1890) lived over a century under the British rule. Though it is not apparent how the British Raj impacted Lalon's life and works, it can surely be said that Lalon had a vision of a major social reform. Apart from his mystic attributes, one of his main goals was to change the society riddled with religious bigotry. Though there are debates regarding his religious identity - some researchers believe he was bom a Hindu, while some consider him a Muslim -- Lalon is known mainly a 'sufi' or a follower 'bhakti' tradition. Lalon left no trace of his birth or his origin and remained absolutely silent about his past, fearing that he would be cast into class, caste or communal identities by a fragmented and hierarchical society.
Throughout his whole life, Lalon sang of a society where all religions and beliefs can maintain a harmonious existence.
Though Lalon is primarily identified as a mystic, philosopher, songwriter and composer, it wouldn’t be an overstatement to call him a social reformer.
According to an essay by renowned Lalon researcher Professor Abul Ahsan Chowdhury, during Lalon's lifetime the undivided Bengal went through several historic events like the 'Chirasthayi Bandobasto,' Titumir's Rebellion, the Indigo Revolt and many more.
Some feel that perhaps, Lalon, who didn't receive formal education, was not aware of those social changes. But is that really the case? One of Lalon's contemporary social reformers was Kanga) Harinath Majumdar (1833-1896). Harinath took a stand against the mass exploitation by the British Raj and zaminders.
According to "Bratya Lokayato Lalon," a book written by Kolkala-based researcher Sudhir Chakrabarty, Harinath was about to be persecuted by local zamindars. Apparently it was Lalon and his disciples who came to Harinath's rescue.
Chakrabarty also wrote that Lalon and Kangal Harinath maintained close ties and together played a vital role in social reform. Lalon would often go to Harinath's press and discuss social and political issues. The news of Lalon's death was published first in Harinath's paper. Lalon left around 10,000 disciples who have different religious backgrounds and his philosophy continues to drawpeople. *■' mow
Lalon had also a close relationship with the zamindar family of Shilaidaha. The only sketch of Lalon that is found today was painted by the then zamindar of Shilaidaha Jyotirindranath Tagore.
Lalon's philosophical expression was based in oral and textual traditions, and expressed in songs and musical compositions. The lyrics of his songs were explicitly meant to engage in the philosophical discourses of Bengal. He critically re-appropriated the various philosophical positions emanating from the legacies of Hindu, Jain, Buddhist and Islamic traditions, developing them into a coherent school of thought.