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Loko Shadhok Smaron", ended on January 31 at the premises of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA). Arranged by the Department of Music and Dance, BSA, the festival focused on the life and works of rural bards Shah Abdul Karim, Radha Raman Dutta, Bijoy Sarkar, Hason Raja, Jalal Khan, Ramesh Sheel and Lalon.

Lalon is unquestionably the forerunner of Baul music and philosophy. His doctrines of simplicity and above all universal love for humanity irrespective of caste, creed, gender and social status have touched such heights that they are engraved on the hearts of many

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The closing day's programme highlighted discussion of the mystic bard and renditions of his songs.

Lalon’s poetry has a mesmerising quality and was translated into German, Italian, French, Japanese and Hindi.

The programme on January 31 was divided into two segments -- discussion and live performances. Presided over by the director of the Department of Training, BSA, M Mannan Hawladar, the first segment began with a welcome speech by the director of Music and Dance of BSA, RA Mahmud Selim, followed by a lyrical and erudite speech by Lalon exponent Dr Abul Ahsan Chowdhury.

“Though the Bauls are mystic in nature, an

UIUIUU^ UI JJlUlVdl HUVVtU UllUU^U UlfcH uuai IO. We can recall the incident when Lalon, along with his disciples, put the ektara down and took up baton to save his friend Kangal Harinath's life. Lalon is the successor of great mystic leaders -- Kabir, Tulsi Das, Ram Das, Paltu and others — of the undivided India who urged people to come together under one umbrella,” Dr Chowdhury said.

“Born in Lalon's time, it took Raja Rammohan Roy many years to popularise his Brahmo religion in Bengal. In that society, Lalon was ignored too. But as a spiritual leader, Lalon's luminosity flourished among the downtrodden. Rabindranath Tagore understood the maxim that Baul philosophy is at the heart of Bengaliness,”

In the second segment of the programme, eminent Lalon artiste Farida Parveen rendered two songs of the great Baul: “Satyo Bol Shupothey Choi” and “Boro Shongkotey Poria Doyal.” Warda Rihab and Amit Chowdhury of Dhriti, a dance troupe, performed to a Lalon song “Emon Manob Jonom Aar Ki Hobey” followed by another dance performance by the artistes of Nandan Kala Kendra. Other performers at the programme were Pagla Babul, Rupu Khan, Tamanna Nigar Tuli, Monowara Begum Mona, Sabrina Sharmin Shoumi, Iffat Ara Nargis and more. Arif Dewan, Shahid Dewan and their troupes also performed folk music at the programme.