Shah Abdul Karim's birth centenary celebrated

A two-day celebration marking the birth centenary of Baul Samrat Shah Abul Karim concluded on Saturday. Some 20 Bauls from Mymensingh, Netrakona, Dhaka, Sylhet and Sunamganj took part in the centenary celebrations. The songs of Karim rendered by Bauls were each met with loud ovations from the audience.

The songs included--“Agey Ki Sundar Din Kataitam”, “Monke Ami Joto Bojhai Mon Thake Pagolpara”, “Jil Mil Jil Mil Kore”, “Bonde Maya Lagaichhe”, “Gari Cholena Cholena” and “Ami Koolhara Kolongkini,” among others. 

Shah Abdul Karim Birth Centenary Celebration Committee, with the assistance of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, organised the programme at Netrakona Public Library Hall auditorium.

Columnist and eminent academician Professor Jatin Sarker inaugurated the celebration as a chief guest on Friday afternoon.

Bangladesh Awami League's central leader, Shafi Ahmed and Assistant Professor of the Department of Bangla, Netrakona Government College, Golam Mustafa, were among others who addressed the inaugural ceremony.

Convener of the local celebration committee, AFM Rafiqul Islam Khan, delivered the welcome speech while Shah Abdul Karim Birth Centenary Celebration National Committee convener, Golam Quddus presided over the event.

Hasan Arif, member secretary of the central committee, addressed the concluding session. The speakers said that Shah Abdul Karim was an artiste of the masses and was able to speak for the common man in an easy medium.

Known for his secularism, Shah Abdul Karim's commitment to traditional Bengali culture inspires us to go back to the grassroots, according to the speakers.