A month-long festival celebrating the philosophy, spiritual traditions and music of Sant Kabir and Lalon Fakir began in the capital on Friday, with programs scheduled across all eight divisions until October 30.
Organized by Lalon Bishwosangha with the support of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, the Kabir-Lalon Bhabsangeet Festival opened at the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy field in Dhaka on Friday.
Kishoreganj-4 lawmaker Fazlur Rahman inaugurated the festival. State Minister for Cultural Affairs **Ali Newaz Mahmood Khyom** attended the event as the chief guest, while Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Dinesh Trivedi was present as the special guest. Professor Anisuzzaman, chairman of Lalon Bishwosangha, chaired the opening program.
The opening program featured discussions on different aspects of Kabir and Lalon’s philosophy, spiritual traditions and music, along with performances of bhabsangeet, or devotional folk music.
Artists from different traditions, including Kabirpanthi, Ravidaspanthi and Nanakpanthi performers, took part in the festival. Artists from the University of Dhaka’s Department of Music and the Kabir-Lalon Musical Mission also performed.
Following the Dhaka opening, the festival will travel to different parts of the country. The Barisal program will be held at the district Shilpakala Academy auditorium on September 18, followed by the Khulna program on September 19.
The Mymensingh division program will be held at the Sherpur District Shilpakala Academy auditorium on September 25. The festival will then move to Rajshahi on October 2 and Rangpur on October 4.
A program will be held at the Chittagong District Shilpakala Academy auditorium on October 23. The festival will conclude in Sreemangal, representing the Sylhet division, on October 30 at the Sreemangal District Council Multipurpose Auditorium.
The organizers said the festival aims to bring the philosophy and musical traditions of Kabir and Lalon to people across the country through music, discussions and performances representing various spiritual traditions.
