Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre marks Lalon’s legacy with music and discourse

Dhaka witnessed a remarkable celebration of cultural heritage on Thursday as artistes, intellectuals, and music enthusiasts gathered to honour Fakir Lalon Shah on his 135th death anniversary. 

The Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre (IGCC) of the Indian High Commission hosted a meticulously curated "Lalon Sandhya" at the Liberation War Museum auditorium, presenting an evening where music, philosophy, and memory intersected.

The programme opened with a tribute to the late Farida Parveen, one of Bangladesh's foremost exponents of Lalon music. Her contributions were highlighted through a Hindi-translated video of her performance, introduced by former Indian Foreign Secretary and ex-High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Muchkund Dubey. The gesture underscored Parveen's role in bridging cultural ties between India and Bangladesh.

Indian High Commissioner Pranay Kumar Verma delivered the opening address, situating Lalon Shah as a unifying figure in the subcontinent's spiritual and cultural landscape.

"Fakir Lalon Shah's life and oeuvre epitomise the enduring spiritual and cultural link between India and Bangladesh," Verma stated. "His philosophy of inclusion, compassion, and humanity transcends borders and continues to inspire our shared cultural journey."

The evening's programme drew a diverse audience, including musicians, theatre practitioners, cultural activists, and Baul music enthusiasts. Gazi Abdul Hakim, Ekushey Padak-winning flautist and Farida Parveen's spouse, inaugurated the musical performances with an evocative flute rendition. Nasreen Akhter Beauty, a disciple of Parveen, followed with a lyrical performance, accompanied by students from the Achin Pakhi Cultural Academy.

Chandana Majumdar and Kiran Chandra Roy offered stirring interpretations of Lalon's songs, reaffirming their positions as contemporary custodians of the Baul tradition. From Kushtia, Tun Tun Baul and his ensemble delivered an authentic performance of Lalon geeti, captivating the audience with its raw, unadulterated spirituality.

Abdel Mannan, writer and representative of the Lalon World Council, delivered a lecture on the relevance of Lalon's philosophy in the contemporary world, emphasising its universal values of equality, humanity, and spiritual introspection.

The evening concluded with a dynamic performance by Sumy and her band "Lalon", blending modern arrangements with traditional Baul motifs, illustrating the adaptability and enduring resonance of Lalon's message across generations. The event, anchored by actor Afzal Hossain and coordinated by IGCC director N Marie Judge, culminated with the presentation of commemorative crests to participating artists.

The event exemplified the continued vitality of Lalon's cultural and spiritual legacy. Through music, discourse, and reflection, "Lalon Sandhya" reinforced the enduring impact of Lalon Shah on the cultural consciousness of Bangladesh and the broader subcontinent.

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