In search of divinity
A large crowd assembled at the five-day Dol Purnima Utshab to celebrate the life and philosophy of Fakir Lalon Shai. Among them were local Baul artistes and enthusiasts. The Utshab started on March 7 at Lalon's akhra in Chheuria, Kushtia.
The large number of Bauls who assembled at the Utshab came from a wide variety of age groups, location and experience. For many this was their first such visit, while for many more it was a repeat visit from last year or even earlier.
Dressed in traditional saffron attire and their musical instrument, usually the ektara, slung across their shoulder, the Bauls added colour to the ambience of the festival.
A five-day fair called “Baul Mela” is also a crowd puller. Other events include discussion and rendition of songs by Bauls from different parts of the country.
Mithi Nagh, a 40-year old woman travelled from West Bengal, India with her husband Nafar Chandra. She said, “We are not Bauls we are devotees of Lalon. We are here only to listen to the philosophy of the Bauls and gain divine peace.”
Archard Fewl, a Canadian citizen who has come for the first time at the festival, says he is attending here only to know about Lalon and his followers. “I came across Lalon's philosophy three years back. I was totally amazed to know about the depth of his philosophy despite lack of any institutional education. Since then I have developed keen interest in visiting his akhra,” he said.
“I have also has been collecting songs, books, instruments and photos of the akhra,” he added.
Despite the popular appeal, the Lalon Academy that was formed in 1967 to be the caretaker of the akhra, is mostly dysfunctional. In the absence of any elected committee of Lalon Academy, the festival is being organised by Kushtia District Administration.
The Bauls refer to this celebration, considered a pilgrimage in their society, as “shadhu-shango”, “shadhu-sheba” and “mochchob”. Banamali Bhoumik, Deputy Commissioner of Kushtia said that the event is significant as large number of people especially bauls and followers of Lalon considering it a divine journey.
The songs of Lalon articulate mysticism that denotes the soul or one's self as the centre of thoughts. As early as the 17th century, the Bauls were regarded as heretic and were not paid for their performances.
The Bauls strictly follow a code of life unique to their philosophy. They reject anything that divides societal classes, search for an eternal truth and prefer to remain ascetic as part of the ideology developed by Lalon Shai nearly 200 years ago. Over time their philosophy has gained much acceptance in the mainstream society and now attracts people from all walks of life.
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