Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy's 3-day long 'Lalon Commemorative Festival' ended with a huge gathering of Lalon devotees and lively performances.
“The allocation of the Ministry of Culture in the national budget is very little. On the occasion of the great Lalon Saiji's 134th death anniversary, I call upon the state to recognize that art is at the centre of social life, state life.” said Syed Jamil Ahmed, Director General, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy at the closing.
The commemoration ended with a grand program of seminars, Lalon music and cultural performances in the presence of Lalan devotees.
The 1st phase of the closing day was held on October 19 at 4 pm in the seminar room of the National Theater with the topic of 'Ethnicity and Politics of Baul-Fakir Performance'. In this lively and contradictory discussion, the analysis of various issues created and imposed on Lalan Saiji comes up. Abdul Halim Chanchal, Director of Production Department of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy gave a welcome speech in the discussion.
The main article, "Lalon- Baul or Fakir", was presented by A-Al Mamun, professor and researcher of Rajshahi University. The director general of Bangla Academy was Dr. Mohammad Azam; Farooq Wasif, writer and journalist and Director General of PIB; Playwright, writer and researcher and associate professor of Dhaka University. Shahman Moishan.
Speech was delivered by the Director General of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Syed Jamil Ahmed. The seminar hall was filled with lively participation and discussion of Lalon devotees and followers, students, teachers and researchers.
Advisor to the Ministry of Culture delivered the speech of the chief guest. Asif Nazrul Abdul Halim Chanchal, Director of Production Department of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy delivered the welcome speech. Journalist and lyricist Mahbub Morshed was present as the speaker.
In the speech of the chief guest, the adviser of the Ministry of Culture. Asif Nazrul said, "In our Bangladesh, not only the political practice, not the economic practice, but also all the cultural practices were limited to the worship of a family or a person. Through the historic July revolution of the students, we have been freed from that chain. Today we are practicing the culture of Bangladesh. If we practice the culture of Bangladesh then we inevitably have to talk about nurturing. Lalon has lived an epic life. This is not the life of ordinary people. He was abandoned by his companions on a pilgrimage for dead at a very young age. Then he miraculously survived and thrived
At the beginning of the cultural program, the singers of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy performed Saiji's 'Manush Bhojle Sonar Manush hobe Hobe'. Sohanur Rahman was the music director. After that, the dancers of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy performed the dance 'Shohoj Manush'. Music arranged by Nijhar Chowdhury and directed by Mehraj Haque Tushar. Then famous musician Farida Parveen performed Lalon Saiji's bhabani. Then Lalon music was performed by Lalon researcher and singer Sardar Hirak Raja. Abida Rahman Setu, vocalist of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, performed Lalon Saiji's poetry 'Dekhna Man Jhakmari Ae Duniyadari', 'Khachar Bhitar Achin Pakhi'. Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy vocalist Abdullah Rafi Talukder performed 'Jaat Gelo Jaat Gelo Bale'. Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy vocalist Roksana Akter Rupsa performed 'Krishna Preme Pora Deho' and 'Amar Gharkhanay Ke biraj Kore'. Then Lalon Saiji's philosophy was presented by eminent Baul artist and saint Baul Shafi Mondal. Finally, the program ended with the performance of 'Milon hobe koto dine' by the singers of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy.
