The two-day 'Jalal Mela', held at Kendua in Netrakona district, ended yesterday. The objective was to pay tribute to the late renowned Baul Jalaluddin Khan and recall his outstanding contribution to folk music.
The mela was jointly organised by Kendua Upazila administration and Ministry for Cultural Affairs. The event was inaugurated by local MP, Manjur Kader Kuraishi, and presided over by Mohammad Rezaul Karim, Upazila Nirbahi Officer of Kendua.
The programme was addressed, among others, by Mayor of Kendua Municipality, Abdul Haque Buiyan; Jalal's grandson Golam Faruk Khan; and folk researcher Santosh Sarker. The speakers discussed the life and contributions of Jalal.
Abdul Kuddus Boyati, Baul Sunil Kormaker, Sirajuddin Pathan, Jesmin Akther, Samsunnahar, Abdul Salam, Nokul Sarker, Anwar Hossein and other Bauls from different parts of the country performed the songs of the bard such as “Manush thuia Khoda bhojo”, “Manush bhojo Koran khujo” and more.
The bard was born in Singhergao village, under Kendua upazila, on April 25, 1894 and passed away on July 31, 1972. He was buried at his family graveyard in Singhergao village.
Jalal along with some other renowned folk singers-composers including Rashiduddin, Abdul Karim, Ukil Munshi and Chand Mia formed a society of bards in the downstream areas under greater Mymensingh region at the beginning of the 19th century.