Kushtia District Correspondent: The program will end today even though the devotees of the saint have returned to their homes. Although the actual program of the Bauls will end with the Punseva on Saturday, the discussion and Lalon music program will continue until late at night in the Lalon Mancha. And with this, the three-day program will end.
The 135th Tirodhan Diwas of Baul Emperor Fakir Lalon Sai is being celebrated at the national level in Cheuria, Kushtia with due dignity and various arrangements. The Lalon Tirodhan Diwas began on Saturday (October 18) at around 6 pm on the premises of the Lalon Mazar organized by the Ministry of Culture, with the overall cooperation of the Lalon Academy and the district administration, and under the overall management of the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy.
The program was presided over by Kushtia Deputy Commissioner Abu Hasnat Mohammad Arefin, and the Additional Deputy Commissioner (Education ICT) and Acting Deputy Director of the Local Government Branch Mizanur Rahman spoke as a special guest. BNP Chairperson Advisory Council member and former MP from Kushtia-4 (Khoksa-Kumarkhali) constituency, freedom fighter Syed Mehedi Ahmed Rumi. Central BNP Local Government Affairs Secretary and former MP from Kushtia-3 Sadar constituency, freedom fighter Principal Sohrab Uddin. Kushtia District BNP Convener Qutub Uddin Ahmed and Member Secretary Engineer Zakir Hossain Sarkar.
The main discussants were Islamic University’s Bangla Department Professor Dr. Rashiduzzaman, Central NCP Joint Convener Nusrat Tabassum, Kushtia District NCP Chief Coordinator Jannatul Ferdous Tony, Kushtia District People’s Rights Council Acting President Rasheduzzaman, etc. Also present were Additional Deputy Commissioner (Revenue) Abdul Wadud of Kushtia, Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Jahangir Alam and other respected persons.
Today is the last day of the 3-day festival marking the 135th death anniversary of Baul emperor Fakir Lalon Shah. On the second day, Saiji’s akhara was also bustling with devotees. In addition to different districts of the country, devotees of Lalon from abroad have come to this market in Bhaber. Lalon’s casteless, humanist, non-violent philosophy is being propagated by singing and sitting in small groups. Lalon’s followers and researchers believe that only by mastering this spiritual message left by Saiji will human welfare and liberation be achieved. Caste and religion have merged into one in this gathering at Bhaber. During this time, speakers said that Lalon’s words are important for society. Lalon always saw people as human beings. He spoke about humanity. He believed in this philosophy that all people are one. Today’s society is divided by religion, we are created by one Creator. Why should there be differences between Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, and Christians, Lalon wanted to establish that. To change society, everyone must adopt Lalon’s teachings. At the event, the speakers discussed extensively about the biography of Baul Emperor Fakir Lalon Sai. Every person should learn from Lalon’s teachings. He was a mystical saint. Caste did not discriminate against him. Similarly, Lalon must be followed to maintain order in society. His songs have proven that people are above the nation. When Lalon says, what kind of nation did he see? That is why millions of people come to get Lalon’s philosophy. Only if we can properly grasp the truth and depth of Lalon’s philosophy, will violence, hatred, and strife be removed from society.
It is mentioned that this kind of ceremony has been going on since the passing away of Lalon Saiji on the first day of Kartik in 1297 Bengal. Saiji’s baramkhana is bustling with the fulfillment of desires and the attraction of loving care. Meanwhile, the sadhana-bhajan, devotion-respect of the guru and disciple are going on as per the tradition. Only if these spiritual words left by Saiji can be mastered will human welfare and liberation be achieved, say the saints and Bauls who come to the Akharabari.
