Lalon

Philosophy of humanity rejects all distinctions of caste, class, and creed and takes a stand against theological conflicts and racism. It denies all worldly affairs in search of the soul and embodied the socially transformative role of sub-continental Sufism and Bhakti. Lalon founded the institute known as Lalon Akhra in Cheuriya, about 2 km from Kushtia railway station in southwestern Bangladesh. His disciples dwell mostly in Bangladesh and Indian states of West Bengal, Tripura and Assam’s Barak Valley. Every year on the occasion of his death anniversary, thousands of his disciples and followers assemble at Lalon Akhra and pay homage to him through celebration and discussion of his songs and philosophy for three days. In 2004, Lalon was ranked 12 in BBC's poll of the Greatest Bengali of all time.

• Name — Lalon • Native Name — লালন • Honorific Prefix — Fakir • Birthplace — Jhenaidah District, Bengal Subah • Died — 17 October 1890 • Place of death — Kushtia, Bengal Presidency, British India • Resting Place — Mausoleum of Lalon Shah, Kumarkhali, Kushtia, Bangladesh • Occupation — * Spiritual leader • Philosopher • Mystic poet • Social reformer

• Illustration — Lalon's name as written, in a late 19th-century manuscript, by his disciple and scribe Bholai Shah, in unconventional Bengali orthography There are few reliable sources for the details of Lalon's early life as he was reticent in revealing his past. Based on the newspapers and essays of the time, Lalon was born in Bharara village in Kushtia District in a low-caste Hindu family. Lalon had no formal education. Uwe Skoda places his birth to Jhenaidah, Bengal Subah. Sunil Gangopadhyay related in his book "Moner Manush" that Lalon, during a pilgrimage to the temple of Jagannath with others of his native village, contracted smallpox and was abandoned by his companions on the banks of the Kaliganga River. Malam Shah and his wife Matijan, members of the weaver community in a Muslim-populated village, Cheuriya, found him faint and took him to their home to convalesce. While he was growing up, he found his mentor Siraj Sain, a Baul saint of that village. Lalon lived within the zamindari of the Tagores in Kushtia and had visited the Tagore family. It is said that zamindar Jyotirindranath Tagore sketched the only portrait of Lalon in 1889 in his houseboat on the river Padma. Lalon died at Chheuriya on 17 October 1890 aged 118. The news of his death was first published in the newspaper Gram Barta Prokashika, run by Kangal Harinath. Lalon was buried at the middle of his dwelling place known as his Akhra. Researchers note that Lalon was a close friend of Kangal Harinath, one of the contemporary social reformers and a disciple of Lalon.

Lalon composed numerous songs and poems, which describe his philosophy. It is estimated that Lalon composed about 2,000–10,000 songs, of which only about 800 songs are generally considered authentic. Lalon left no written copies of his songs, which were transmitted orally and only later transcribed by his followers. Also, most of his followers could not read or write either, so few of his songs are found in written form. Rabindranath Tagore published some of the Lalon song in the monthly Prabasi magazine of Kolkata. Among his most popular songs are: • Shob Loke Koy Lalon Ki Jat Shongshare, • Khachar Bhitor Ochin Pakhi kyamne ashe jaay, • Jat Gelo Jat Gelo Bole, • Dekhna Mon Jhokmariay Duniyadari, • Pare Loye Jao Amai, • Milon Hobe Koto Dine, • Ar Amare Marishne Ma, • Tin Pagoler Holo Mela • Dhonno Dhonno Boli Tare • Emon Manob Jonom Aar Ki Hobe The songs of Lalon aim at an indescribable reality beyond realism. He was observant of social conditions and his songs spoke of day-to-day problems in simple yet moving language. His philosophy was expressed orally, as well as through songs and musical compositions using folk instruments that could be made from materials available at home; the ektara (one-string musical instrument) and the duggi (drum). Songs of Lalon were mainly confined to the baul sects. After the independence of Bangladesh, they reached the urban people through established singers. Many of them started using instruments other than the ektara and baya. Some started using classical bases for a polished presentation to appeal to the senses of the urban masses. According to Farida Parveen, a renowned Lalon singer, the pronunciation of the words were also refined in order to make their meanings clearer, whereas the bauls' pronunciations are likely to have local influence.

• Illustration — Tomb of Lalon, Kushtia District • Illustration — Lalon's masters' and disciples' grave • Illustration — Gate of the shrine of Lalon • Illustration — "Shainjir Ektara" a sculpture depicting Saint Lalon Shah • Illustration — A sculpture of Lalon Shah at Kushtia • Illustration — Lalan Fakir Stamp of India - 2003