Lalon’s 136th death anniversary today

The three-day Lalon commemoration begins on Saturday (October 17) to remember the humanist philosophy and timeless message of the mystic saint Fakir Lalon Sain. Marking his 136th death anniversary, a range of programmes has been organized at Chheuria in Kumarkhali, Kushtia, as well as in Dhaka and other parts of the country. The events will continue until October 19.

Under the patronage of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, various programmes in memory of Lalon will be observed at divisional and district levels. As part of this, a "Lalon Smarananushthan" (Lalon commemoration programme) will be held on Saturday at 6 pm at the National Theatre Hall of the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy.

In the discussion segment of the programme, artist and researcher Professor Dr. Ahmed Shakil Hasmi will speak as the keynote discussant. Md. Harun-or-Rashid, joint secretary and director general of the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, will preside. After the discussion, a special cultural programme will be presented.

A special three-day programme is also beginning at the Lalon Akhrabari in Chheuria, Kumarkhali upazila, Kushtia, a place closely tied to Lalon's memory. Sadhus, Baul practitioners, devotees, researchers and visitors from different parts of the country will gather there. Alongside Lalon's own tradition of spiritual practice, songs and remembrance sessions, there will be formal programmes.

A cornerstone of Lalon Sain's philosophy was to look beyond divisions of caste and religion and see people as human beings. His songs and worldview strongly reflect humanity, non-communalism and self-exploration. To remember his contribution to Bengal's folk culture, devotees and Baul practitioners gather at the Lalon Akhrabari every year on his death anniversary. His songs are performed to the tunes of the ektara, dotara and khamak, and singers and listeners exchange spiritual sentiment at the music gatherings.

Lalon Shah breathed his last on October 17, 1890, at Chheuria in Kumarkhali upazila, Kushtia. On the occasion of his death anniversary, the then interim government decided on August 28, 2025, to observe October 17 every year as a national day in "Category A." From that year, the Lalon festival has been celebrated at the national level.