World Poet Baul Emperor Lalon Shayji

 World Poet Baul Emperor Lalon Shayji

Writer: Liton Abbas

Fakir Lalon Shah is the ambassador of rural Bengal renaissance. On the one hand he was a social revolutionary and on the other hand he was a yogic man. In all parts of Kushtia and Nadia districts, the fertile land of folk culture, Lalon's knowledge, scriptures, mysticism and love have been born. Lalon Sai, a devotee of spiritualism, has been satisfying the spiritual hunger and thirst of mystic people through his songs for ages. Lalon Fakir has also created a unique phenomenon in this Baul sadhana. Ashutosh Bhattacharya says ‘Kushtia Baul’s Leela Bhumi.’ But in the real sense Kushtia region (Nadia Jessore, Faridpur, Pabna and Meherpur) is not just because of geographical termination; For a long time now, Muslim fakirs and pro-Baul Hindu Vaisnavas have been directly and indirectly associated with rural life in this region of Central Bengal. After this A (Kushtia) region became Baul chief (Kumarkhali, Khoksa, Chapra-bharora, Chheuria, Harinarayanpur and Shilaidaha). And Baul emperor Lalon Fakir came to this land.

Lalon's life story is mysterious. 

There are many differences of opinion about his place of birth, religion and ethnic identity. He did not want to put himself in any caste-religion. That is why he himself has said (how many people are Lalon in the world). Lalon researcher Doctor Abul Ahsan Chowdhury said, ‘Lalon Fakir was a worshiper of truth. He was a humanitarian, non-communal and philanthropist. 'Researchers estimate that he was born about 233 years ago in the village of Chapra in Kumarkhali upazila of Kushtia (then Nadia) district in the Khulna division of Bangladesh. He grew up in this village on the banks of the Gorai. Father Madhav Kar and mother Padmavati. Lalon is the only child of the parents. He did not get the opportunity of formal education due to financial inconsistency. He never went to school in his life. Lalon Chilen is self-taught.

The village where Lalon grew up was full of Chapra clowns folk culture. People of all ages used to sit in the evening chat with folk songs, Baul songs, poetic songs and kirtan. Once living here, one has to change one's residence due to enmity of neighbors and go to Daspara of the same village. From there Lalon went on a river bath / pilgrimage with the Baul slaves at Bahrampur / Navdeep in Murshidabad district. On the way back, Lalon's body contracted epidemic disease in the boat. To escape the contagious disease, his companions threw him into the river and fled. Later, they informed Lalon's mother and wife of his death. The unfortunate death is acknowledged by all. Meanwhile, a Muslim woman from Chhenuria picked up Lalon from the river bank in a dying condition. After receiving treatment, Lalon returned to his home in Bhandara. Although the mother and wife were overwhelmed by the unexpected return, everyone refused to accept him in the society. Desperate Lalon returns to the present akhrabari of Chhenuria. 

Lalon, who left home in his youth, again took shelter in Malam Shah's house. He started living here. Get close to the theorist Siddha Baul Gurman Siraj Sai. From then on, Lalon found a new direction in the life of monasticism. Baptized and went abroad. In the meanwhile he created innumerable devotees in Bengal. After touring the country, he returned to the country and started composing spiritualist mystic songs. As soon as Lalne heard this, his disciples would come running and pick up paper and pen, and Lalon would say fakir. All his songs are perfect. ‘Arshi Nagar near the house a neighbor settled in Setha I never saw him one day’, these orally composed songs were kept in the collection by the disciples. However, despite the fact that a total of 600 songs have been found, innumerable songs are spread in the mouths of the people. 

Lalon, who left home in his youth, again took shelter in Malam Shah's house. He started living here. Get close to the theorist Siddha Baul Gurman Siraj Sai. From then on, Lalon found a new direction in the life of monasticism. Baptized and went abroad. In the meanwhile he created innumerable devotees in Bengal. After touring the country, he returned to the country and started composing spiritualist mystic songs. As soon as Lalne heard this, his disciples would come running and pick up paper and pen, and Lalon would say fakir. All his songs are perfect. ‘Arshi Nagar near the house a neighbor settled in Setha I never saw him one day’, these orally composed songs were kept in the collection by the disciples. However, despite the fact that a total of 800 songs have been found, innumerable songs are spread in the mouths of the people. Fascinated by the melody and lyrics of this song, thousands of devotees in both Bengals are fascinated by Lalon theory. At present, the number of his fans has crossed millions. Kangal Harinath, the editor of Grambarta Prakashika, had a close relationship with Lalon. Some of his songs have also been published in this magazine. He also rode on horseback to the historic MN Press in Kumarkhali Kundupara. Once the lathiyals of the Thakur zamindar went to attack the press of Kangal Harinath. There are rumors that Lalon saved it with his Bauls after receiving the news. Although there is no evidence of any meeting between Rabindranath and Lalon, it is said that Rabindranath used to sit in Lalon's Akhrabari on his way to Calcutta and be fascinated by Lalon's Baul songs. From Siraj Sai, Lalon Shah went on a country tour with proper education. He toured different parts of Bengal and in Bengal (1230) built a permanent akhra at Chhenuria. Later, his sadhana bhajan was performed in this akhra house. Under his direction, the devotees used to organize the festival of Dol Purnima. In this festival, innumerable Bauls, Fakirs and followers from different districts and ashrams of the two Bengalis used to come to pay homage at the feet of Shayji Lalon Fakir. 

During the nineteenth century, Lalon expressed himself in a completely different way. Lalon was always busy with Baul ideology. The benevolent Baul emperor Fakir Lalon Shah was always surrounded by disciples even in his last days. Old age on the one hand and stomach ailments on the other made him gradually unwell. He used to listen to the disciples' songs while lying in bed. On Friday 17th October 1890 (1st Kartik of 1298) he felt very sick. The night is almost over. The disciples said, "Cross over, O Dayal Chand, to me / Forgive me, O crime, my thoughts are in prison." The song also ended. He passed away at the age of 116. There was no religious affiliation after his death. The festival was held only with the Baul community. At the time of his death, he left his service partner Bishokha and Dharma Kanya Piari. Besides, he had Rs 2,000 in cash and some household items in his stables. The stables were built on 18 and a half bighas of land donated by artisan Malam Shah. According to the wishes of the Baul emperor Lalon, he was buried inside the arena. Since then, Lalon commemoration has been held every year. Numerous Lalon devotees from home and abroad gathered at Akhrabari. Day after day, Lalon read the footsteps of the researchers. However, many people were disappointed as the environment of Akhrabari was not literary.

Lalon is an institute today

It is only natural that there will be a connection between the educated and the uneducated. It is true a thousand times that Lalon has established the folk culture and folk art of Bengal in the court of the world. Numerous researchers and devotees of the present literary world are proving his spirituality. Yet no one thought of introducing the Lalon Academy Award for Literary-Music nationally, which is very sad and disrespectful!

Many devotees of the mystic Baul devotee and supreme folk poet Baul emperor Lalon Shah gather at his shrine every day to discuss various spiritual songs and his activities and biography. Many tourists from home and abroad flock to the shrine every day.