Different political and socio-cultural organisations, professional bodies and individuals yesterday condoled the death of renowned 'Baul Samrat' Shah Abdul Karim.
They said in his death the country has lost a folk lyricist, a poet, and a philosopher who learned form the nature.
Recalling his invaluable contribution to the field of folk songs, they said his death has caused an irreparable loss for the country.
They also prayed for the salvation of the departed soul and conveyed sympathy to the members of the bereaved family.
Jatiya Sangsad Chief Whip Abdus Shahid expressed his profound shock at the death of Shah Abdul Karim and conveyed sympathy to bereaved family members.
Terming the 'Baul Samrat' a legend in the arena of folk songs in a condolence message, Abdus Shahid said the artiste always thought for the country and its people and expressed his feelings through his eternal songs.
" Shah Abdul Karim was a singer, a composer and a poet," said the chief whip, adding that he upheld the folk culture of Sylhet before the world.
" His death has created a vacuum in the arena of country's folk songs," the chief whip added.
Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhit condoled the death of Shah Abdul Karim who used to lead a very simple life and played an active role in every progressive movement.
"The nation will never forget his immortal songs like " Gari Chalena Chalena or Age Ki Sundar Din Kataitam," said the finance minister, adding that though the Baul Samrat composed his songs in local language of Sylhet, it was accepted by all for his universal appeal.
Workers Party of Bangladesh President Rashed Khan Menon MP and General Secretary Bimal Biswas expressed deep shock at the death of Shah Abdul Karim and conveyed sympathy to the members of the bereaved family.
In a condolence message they said the Baul Samrat through his eternal songs upheld the country and its non-communal culture before the world.
His songs and composition would remain an invaluable and unending source of Bangalee culture, they added.
Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) President Manjurul Ahsan Khan and General Secretary Mujahidul Islam Selim in another condolence message said Shah Abdul Karim played an active role in the struggle for social change.
“He took part at the historic Kagmari conference and rendered there his immortal songs that introduced him to the great leaders including Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhasani and another noted folk singer Ramesh Shill,” they added.
Sylhet City Mayor Badar Uddin Ahmed Kamran also expressed his profound shock at the death of Shah Abdul Karim who sang his entire life for the welfare of people.
"The Baul Samrat had been in the field of folk and spiritual songs since his early age and will be remembered forever for his devotion and sincerity to country's folk culture," said the mayor, adding, “He was a luminous figure in our cultural arena.”
The other organisations and individuals who condoled the death include Suranjit Sengupta MP, Jatiya Party, Citybank NA Bangladesh, Bangabandhu Sangskritik Jote, Joybangla Sangskritik Oikya Jote, Kendrio Khelaghar Asar, Jatiya Gonotantrik League, Bangladesh Nari Mukti Andolon, Bangladesh Sangeet Sangathan Samannya Parishad, Sangeet Sangskriti Prangan, Azizur Rahman Smiriti Natya Sangsad and Nibedan.