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BSS-28
KHALID-LALON
Lalon is still relevant, popular: Khalid
DHAKA, Oct 16, 2020 (BSS) – State Minister for Cultural Affairs KM
Khalid today said Fakir Lalon Shah, a Bengali philosopher and Baul
saint, is still relevant, popular and modern.
“Lalon passed away 130 years ago but he is still equally relevant,
popular and modern,” he told the inaugural session of a two-day
international seminar and Sadhumela.
The seminar was arranged at Jatiya Natyashala auditorium of
Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy in the capital marking the 130th death
anniversary of Lalon, a ministry press release said.
Speaking as the chief guest, Khalid said Lalon’s songs are
considered as instruments of Baul society and those are able to
stimulate the mystical hearts of music lovers.
In addition, he said, the Lalon songs are valuable in the context of
social thoughts too.
In the emergence of communalism and fundamentalism, the humiliation
of humanity and the hostile era of terrorism and anarchy, the state
minister said today Lalon’s songs could be a symbol of protest, art,
peace and good sense.
The songs could be an ultimate path to restore the lost faith in
people, he added.
Khalid said Lalon had preached his doctrine of humanism against the
religions, castes and tribes prevalent in the society through his
songs.
He said Lalon’s non-violent doctrine had spread among the commoners
of the society gradually – whether they were Hindus or Muslims or
Buddhists – in the country and abroad.
Noting that the practice of a new human-religion started through
Lalon, the state minister said since the words of a casteless,
religion-less and race-less society are the essence of Lalon’s songs,
people had found refuge of human liberation through his songs.
Chaired by Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy Director General Liaquat
Ali Lucky, the inaugural session of the seminar was addressed, among
others, by Shilpakala Academy secretary Md Nowshad Hossain.
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