Lalon
Fakir Lalon was a renowned Baul saint, philosopher and lyricist of the 18th century. Lalon was one of the main pioneers of Bengali folk music, especially Baul songs and Marmiya music. His songs reflect deep philosophical thoughts on society, religion, humanity and the soul.
He did not accept the Hindu-Muslim distinction, but rather saw humanity as the main religion.
Thoughts: He gave deep philosophical explanations about the soul and the body, which are related to Sufism and Vaishnavism.
Lalon Shah
(17 October 1774 – 17 October 1890)
Lalon was affectionately called and introduced by his devotees as Lalon Shaiji. Lalon was a Bengali of multi-talent; also known as Fakir Lalon, Lalon Sai, Lalon Shah, Mahatma Lalon, etc. He was a spiritual ascetic, humanitarian, and philosopher. He was the lyricist, composer, and singer of numerous songs. Lalon is considered one of the pioneers of Baul music and his songs gained immense popularity in the 19th century.
Lalon was a humanist saint. He gave humanity the highest place by moving away from all kinds of ethnic differences including religion, caste, tribe. He composed his songs from this non-communal attitude. His songs and philosophy have influenced generations..Many famous poets, writers, philosophers, intellectuals, and countless other people have sung his songs. His songs have been sung by many musicians throughout the ages.
Lalon's biography।
There is no detailed account of Lalon's life. The most authentic source of information about him is his 288 songs. However, Lalon did not leave any information about his life in any of his songs, but in some of his songs he described himself as "Lalon Fakir". Fifteen days after his death, an editorial in the Hitkari Patrika published from Kushtia said, "It is not possible to find any material to write his biography. He himself did not say anything. His disciples could not say anything due to his prohibition or ignorance.
Lalon was born in 1774 AD in the village of Harishpur in Harinakundu Upazila of Jhenaidah District of the then undivided Bengal (present-day Bangladesh). Some Lalon researchers believe that Lalon was born in the village of Barara under Chapra Union of Kumarkhali Thana in Kushtia. Many disagree with this opinion. According to one source, his father's name was Kazi Daribullah Dewan. His grandfather's name was Kazi Golam Qadir and his mother's name was Amina Khatun. Kazi is their hereditary title. Researchers believe that Lalon Shah had two more brothers. Alam Shah and Kalam Shah. Alam Shah worked as a labourer in Kolkata. Another source states that they were four brothers: Alam Shah, Kalam Shah, Chalam Shah and Lalon Shah. Although it is believed that there was no brother named Chalam Shah, there was another brother named Malam Shah. Alam and Malam died in the late 1700s. Lalon took refuge in the house of Inu Kazi in Dakshin Para, Harishpur to earn a living.
It is said that Lalon once went on a pilgrimage when he was young and contracted smallpox on the way. Then his companions abandoned him, thinking him dead, and went to their respective destinations. Malam Shah rescued Lalon who was floating in the Kaliganga River. Malam Shah and his wife Motijan took him home and nursed him back to health. After that, Lalon was initiated by him and started living with his wife and disciples in Cheuria, Kushtia. Lalon lost one eye to smallpox. In Cheoria, he met the philosophical singer Siraj Sai and was influenced by him.
Lalon, Religion
There is considerable disagreement among researchers about Lalon's religious beliefs, which existed even during his lifetime. Lalon's biographer Basant Kumar Pal says, "I am also unable to say for sure whether Saiji was a Hindu or a Muslim. It is known from various sources that during Lalon's lifetime, he was not seen observing any religious rituals. Lalon had no formal education. Through his own efforts, he gained knowledge about both Hinduism and Islam. This is evident in the songs he composed.
Caste is gone, caste is gone, what a strange factory, no one is willing to do the truth, I see it all, no, no.
What harm does religion do to a prostitute who secretly eats rice? Lalon says caste, who cares? This illusion has not gone away either.
Lalon has good relations with people of all religions was. Many considered him a Muslim because of his good relations with Muslims. Again, Hindus considered him a Vaishnavite when they saw him discussing Vaishnavism. In fact, Lalon was a humanist and he did not believe in the discrimination of people on the basis of religion, caste, creed, color, gender, etc.
Lalon Geeti
Lalon's songs are known as Lalongiti or Lalon Sangeet. Lalon followed a special style of asking and answering questions at the same time in his songs against the various superstitions, communalism, social divisions, etc. of his contemporary society. In addition, in many of his songs, he presented his various philosophies behind the veil of metaphor.
Popularity of songs
Lalon's songs are quite popular all over the world, especially in Bangladesh and the entire Indian subcontinent. According to the listener's choice, Lalon's song "Khachar Bhitar Achin Pakhi Kemene Aase Jaya" is ranked 14th in the list of the 20 best Bengali songs of all time by BBC Bangla. Lalon's songs are on the topics of spirituality, body theory, guru or murshid theory, love-bhakti theory, sadhana theory, man-paramattva, Allah-prophecy, Krishna-gaurattva and many more. Some notable songs of Lalon:
I am sitting in a state of helplessness
How many people are there in the world of Lalon?
Who understands the play of Sai
Castes are gone, castes are gone
How can a strange bird come into a cage
Don't you take care of your own house
What should I keep, Guru Charandasi
You have made up your mind to be a coward
This man has that man
Where Sai's baramkhana
Arshinagar is near the house
You don't take care of my own
Don't you see my mind, this worldly life
Catch the thief in the house of the wind to get a trap
The one who created everything
Time will not be fulfilled
There is an original Mecca in this human body
Three madmen came to the fair in the river
I see this, the market at the edge
How many days will the reunion be
Who built such a colorful house,
Lalon's Akhara
Lalon built an Akhara in Cheuria, Kumarkhali Upazila of Kushtia, where he taught his disciples ethics and spiritual teachings. His disciples called him "Sai". He used to organize a Bhandara (festival) in the Akhara every winter. Where thousands of disciples and people of different sects would gather and there would be music and discussions.
Many people from Chittagong, Rangpur, Jessore and far away in West Bengal were Lalon Fakir's disciples; it is said that the number of his disciples was more than ten thousand. Which is more now. Every year, people from far and wide gather for the Lalon Mela which makes the city of Kushtia bustling. The government makes security arrangements. Which surprises the people of the world.
Lalon's Death
Lalon died on October 17, 1890, at the age of 116, in his akhra in Cheuria, Kumarkhali, Kushtia. He had been suffering from stomach problems and problems with the joints of his hands and feet for about a month before his death. During his illness, he did not eat anything other than milk. During this time, he wanted to eat fish. On the day of his death, he sang and played until 5 am and at one point told his disciples, "I have left", and died shortly after. Since he did not have any instructions or wishes, no religious rituals were observed by Hindus or Muslims after his death. As per his advice, his tomb was built inside a room in his akhra in Cheuria.
Even today, Bauls from all over Bangladesh and many countries of the world gather in Cheuria in October to pay homage to Lalon.
