A three-day Lalon festival ended at Chheuriya of Kumarkhali in Kushtia marking the 134th death anniversary of Fakir Lalon, the spiritual mystic of the subcontinent and the Baul king.

The festival concluded Saturday (Oct 20) with a call for the quest of building a society where no discrimination will exist.

Lalon Academy, an organisation to look after the Lalon Akhra arranged the programme with the help of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs and the Kushtia district administration.

The event included discussion meetings on the philosophy of Lalon, rendition of the songs of the bard, the key philosophy of him and a village fair styled “Lalon Mela”.

Farida Akhter, Advisor to the Fisheries and Livestock of the Interim Government inaugurated the programme.

Other guests addressing the occasion include Vice-Chancellor of Kushtia Islamic University Professor Dr. Nakib Muhammad Nasrullah, poet and researcher Farhad Mazhar and Divisional Commissioner of Khulna Md. Helal Mahmud Sharif.

The speakers asserted that the ideas and philosophies that Lalon Sain established over a century and a half ago continue to inspire lovers, thinkers, scholars, and intellectuals around the world.

“His (Lalon) philosophy is music-based eternal philosophy. Lalon Sain is deeply integrated with Sufi philosophy across the entire world. The core of this philosophy is that, regardless of caste, religion, or race where humanity is supreme,” said speakers.

They emphasised that Lalon believed that if people are judged based on their external identities—Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist, Christian, Jain, etc.—instead of being seen as human beings, peace can never be achieved in society. This belief is not only his but also a widely held conviction in modern civilisation, that true world peace lies in recognising humanity through love.

Thus, Lalon’s philosophy stands as a unique beacon of light in building a society, a nation, and a world free from hatred, malice, and discrimination.

The three-day event of this time also sees an influx of people from across the country.

BDST: 1404 HRS, OCT 20, 2024
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