“Manush bhojle shonar manush hobi” (One can attain sainthood through serving people) - This is the universal philosophy of Lalon which is engraved in the entrance of Fakir Lalon Shah’s shrine situated at Chheuriya in Kushtia. This statement conveys a message of humanity and love to every visitor who comes to seek solace through Lalon’s music and lifestyle away from the complexities of city life.
Lalon Academy, in association with Ministry of Cultural Affairs, organized a three-day long “lalon Mela” from October 16-18 at Lalon Akhra in Chheuriya, Kushtia to commemorate the death anniversary of the country’s most eminent baul figure.
During my trip to Lalon’s shrine, I felt as if the air, water and the entire atmosphere of that entity took me into the custody of serenity.
I was glad after knowing that I was not alone, in fact, during my visit I met two inspirational devotees of Lalon who abandoned their luxurious lives only to become disciples of this mystic legend.
One of them was Deborah Jannat Cukirman, a French school teacher. While talking to her about the “Sahajiya,” lifestyle of Lalon and how it was different from her life in France, she told me that it all started with the concept of “nothingness.”
“Three years ago I was searching folk songs on YouTube when I came to learn about Lalon’s devotional songs. For the next couple of days I tried to understand the inner meaning of his songs, which left me amazed. Those songs forced me to come at Daulatpur, Kushtia and exposed my life to the principle of ‘Sheba’ (serving people selflessly),”said Deborah.
She further told me that one can find the actual meaning of life only when he/she holds on to nothing, aspire nothing and believe in humanity.
Another Lalon follower and researcher Hans Krishti who came to celebrate the 128th death anniversary of Fakir Lalon Shah from Czech Republic added that Lalon’s music advocate religious ideologies at the surface level but actually they indicate a simple lifestyle away from ignorance.
The first day of the event witnessed thousands of Lalon followers, poets, local artists of Kumarkhali Upazilla and bauls from Lalon Academy flocking on the bank of river Kaliganga at Chheuriya to Lalon’s shrine.
Awami League Joint General Secretary and Member of Parliament from Kushtia-3, Mahbub-ul-Alam Hanif inaugurated the ceremony. Minister of Information, Hasanul Haq Inu were one of the special guests of the opening ceremony. He gave a speech about the “Sahajiya” lifestyle and requested everyone to build their life inspired by Lalon’s principle to make Bangladesh a better country.
I reached at the shrine on the first day at mid-night. The entire place was awake and buzzing with the music and performances from Lalon musicians. I was lucky enough to get acquainted with one of the performing bands “Ananda Nagar” and closely observe their preparation for the next day of the ceremony.
“Ananda Nagar” rehearsed five Lalon songs “Jeikhane Shair Baramkhana,” “Barir Kache Arshi Nagar,” “Bhojo Re Anonder Gourango,” “E Bela Tor Ghorer Khobor Jene Ne Re Mon” and “Ami Opar Hoye Boshe Achi” in front of a limited number of audiences.
One of the vocalists, Asif, said that their motive was not to become famous, but to internalize “Sahajiya” and enlighten others about it.
On the second day of the program, the sun was unforgiving, more people crowded at the Akhra and it became very difficult for me to enjoy a single performance without any disturbance. However, to avoid any unpleasant incident on the occasion, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) provided tight security with the help of Kushtia district administration.
I want to mention one duet performance of a couple which intrigued me the most. They were a local poet-singer duo and ardent Lalon devotees. Their rendition included songs such as, “Cholo Jai Anonder Bazar E,” “Chatok Bache Kemne, Megher Borshon Bine,” and “Ke Bujhe Tomar Opar Lila Allah.” Before going to the stage, almost everyone in the audience put their hands together and greeted them by saying “Joy Guru,” which created an exclusive environment inside the Lalon’s shrine.
I completed this entire trip with a group named “The Flag Girl.” It was my first solo female trip where I met nine girls from different backgrounds, professions and cities of Bangladesh. All 10 of us believed in different ideologies until the moment we reached at the shrine, which unified us under the spirit of Fakir Lalon Shah.
After a nine hour awful bus journey to Kushtia, all of our weariness vanished with the exuberant essence of Lalon music.
My tour of Lalon’s shrine ended with the blessings of one of the oldest disciples of Fakir Lalon Shah who advised me to look at life in a different perspective, to challenge myself to be open and to trust in the supreme power of God.
Nafisa Nazmul is a music and film enthusiast and an intern at the Dhaka Tribune’s Showtime Desk
