Iftana Yeasmin, Kushtia
A three -day long programmes on the 129th death anniversary of renowned spiritual Baul emperor, saint Lalon Shah began at Saijir Akhra( Abode of Saijee) in Kushtia from Wednesday.
According to the sources, in observance of 129th death anniversary of the spiritual lyricist Fakir Lalon Shah, a congregation for the saints and devotees is being held at the Saijir Baramkahana in Chheuria of the district.
The entire 'Akhrabari' is now filled with hundreds of devotees, saints and their 'guru's.
Lalon Academy of Kushtia in cooperation with the Ministry of Cultural Affairs and the Deputy Commissioner of Kushtia is organising the function.
To take the lesson of humanity through traversing the way of truthfulness, hundreds of saints and devotees from home and abroad have started to assemble at the mausoleum of the Saijee.
With the slogan "Let our cultural heritage be our inspiration for the change of the days" the programmes of the three-day-long Lalon death anniversary have been designed. Even five to six-day before starting the programme, Baul saints and devotees from various places of the country have taken shelter at various corners of the mausoleum and serving the spiritual and mystic songs of Saijee ( Lalon). Entire Kushtia town has been turned into a crowded town.
Joint Secretary General of Awami League and Member of Parliament Mahbubul Alam Hanif inaugurated the three-day long death anniversary functions of Baul Song Emperor Lalon Shah on Wednesday evening.
Presided over by Aslam Hossain, Deputy Commissioner of Kushtia, the inaugural function was attended, among others, by AKM Sarwar Jahan Badsha, MP of Kusitia -1( Daulatpur), Barrister Selim Altaf George, MP of Kushtia-4( Khoksa-Kumarkhali), Dr. Kh. Mohiuddin, DIG of Police, Khulna range, SM Tanvir Arafat, Superintendent of Police of Kushtia, Rabiul Islam, Chairman of Kushtia Zila Parisahd, Sadar Uddin Khan and Asgar Ali, President and the General Secretary respectively of district AL and PP Anup Kumar Nandi, Azad Zahan, Additional Deputy Commissioner, ABM Ariful Islam, NDC, Kuhstia and Khadem Mohammad Ali while Professor Dr. Shahinur Rahman, Pro-Vice Chancellor of Kushtia Islami University was present at the function as the chief speaker.
It is learnt that during the British reign when the lives of common people of the rural areas became unbearable due to repression and tyranny of the British rulers, Baul song emperor Fakir Lalon Shah emerged at the Chheuria of Kumarkhali " to teach the Human Guru ( Master) by following the way of truthfulness."
Though the historians differ at pointing out the exact birthplace of Lalon Shah, still it remains a mystery.
Lalon was self-educated though he did not get any opportunity to attend any educational institution.
During his pilgrimage, he was suffered with pox when his companions left him alone on the way.
Later, he was recovered from the disease through care and treatment of Malam Shah and he chooses to spend time as a Fakir in association with devotee Siraj Sai.
The Akhra of Lalon Shah was established in 1823 at Chheuria on 16 bigha of land donated by Malam Shah. A cottage made of bamboo and stray was built there at first where Lalon Shah is learnt to live.
=He used to live with his devotees in that cottage until his death. He composed nearly 1,000 songs by staying in the cottage. At the early hours of October-17, 1890, the saint, spiritual composer
Lalon Shah died and his body was also buried inside the same cottage.
