Mela with a message <i>Baul music needs impetus</i>
A Baul mela to inspire 'Sufi and Baishnab Shadhaks' was held at the auditorium of Zila Shilpakala Academy recently. The mela included a discussion and rendering of songs composed by Gowsai Modan Mohan, a composer of spiritual songs. A reception was accorded to Gowsai by his disciples, mainly the Bauls of Mymensingh region. The garland-clad composer was received warmly by the audience.
Naksha Multi Media, a local cultural group organised the programme.
Chief guest Shah Saiful Alam Pannu addressed the discussion, while Shafiqul Islam Sabuj, the founder of Baul Jalal Smriti Parishad was in the chair.
Baul Abdul Mannan Fakir; Mahtab Uddin Sarker; Abdul Jabbar; vice-president of Sattyer Sandhan Sangskritik Sangstha and Abu Sayeed Ahmed; headmaster of Mozaffar Ali Fakir High School, among others were the speakers.
The speakers said that Mymensingh region was once famous in the subcontinent for various traditional cultural performances like Kabi gaan, Baul songs, jaari, saari and ghetu gaan. However, over a passage of time such cultural activities had lost their appeal due to inadequate patronage by the authorities.
The artistes involved with these performing arts, the speakers added, are hamstrung to survive and many have distanced themselves from their traditional professions, while “the new generation is reluctant to involve itself in such professions.”
The speakers said that Gowsai's writings are a great asset for spiritual performers and devotees. They also urged the Baul community to spread his songs within and outside the country.
Baul artistes Sree Sunil Karmakar, Dulal Sarker, Md. Golam Rabbi, Monir Hossain, Manik Miah, Mahtab Uddin, Chand Miah, Mohammad Alamgir, Rezia Alam, Jesmin Sarkar and Farzana Akhtar attended the mela.
The Bauls began their session with a choral rendering of spiritual songs written by Gowsai. They also entertained the huge audience with their rendering of different popular Baul songs of this region. Rajkumar and Habib made waves with their perfect rhythmic playing on the dhols while Farhad played on the harmonium.
ARM Modasser Tapu conducted the programme.
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