Government to honour Lalon Shah’s legacy with countrywide celebrations

The government has announced a nationwide celebration marking the 135th death anniversary of mystic saint Lalon Shah, with major Lalon Utshab (Lalon Festival) events to be held in Kushtia and Dhaka. The announcement was made today through the official Facebook page of Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus.

The three-day festival, set to take place from October 17 to 19, will unite devotees, bauls, and musicians from across the country in a grand celebration of Lalon's life, music, and philosophy.

In Kushtia's Cheuria — home to the revered Lalon Akhra — the festival will transform the shrine into a vibrant gathering of faith, music, and reflection. From dawn to dusk, the grounds will resonate with bhaav-geeti, soulful baul performances, and philosophical discussions celebrating Lalon's vision of spiritual freedom and human unity.

Performers, including TunTun Baul, Sunil Karmakar, Rowshan Fakir, and Latif Shah, along with hundreds of bauls and fakirs from around the country, are expected to perform throughout the three days.

Meanwhile, in Dhaka, a special Lalon Utshab will take place on October 18 at Suhrawardy Udyan. The event will feature performances by Emon Chowdhury and Bengal Symphony, Band Lalon, Nirab and Bauls, Pothik Nobi, Suchona Shely, Band Baula, Arup Rahi, and Samogeet, among others.

The Lalon Utshab stands as one of Bangladesh's most enduring cultural traditions — a celebration not only of music but of Lalon's universal philosophy that transcends caste, creed, and religion.