Kabir-Lalon spiritual music festival held in Rajshahi

Updated : 2 October 2026, 20:35

Our Correspondent, Rajshahi

Photos: Star

The fifth event of a nationwide festival exploring the philosophy, music and humanist traditions of Kabir and Lalon Shah was held in Rajshahi on Friday evening.

The divisional event, attended by more than a hundred spectators and listeners, was held at Lalon Shah Muktamanch on the bank of the Padma River in Rajshahi city.

The festival is being organised across all eight divisions of Bangladesh from September 11 to October 30 with the support of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs.

Sufi researcher and classical flautist Dr Shah Syed Hasib Ul Hasan Raja inaugurated the Rajshahi divisional festival by playing the flute at around 6:30pm.

At the inauguration, Dr Raja said Kabir-Lalon devotional music continues to deeply attract ordinary people across the subcontinent because it is rooted in universal, non-violent humanism and the religion of free humanity.

“Kingdoms can be conquered for a while through war, violence and brutality, but people’s hearts can never be won permanently through such means,” he said.

He warned that violent extremists and their accomplices are waiting for an opportunity to annihilate the human race.

Calling for the world to be freed from evil through the immense power of music, he said both Kabir and Lalon had devoted their lives to the spiritual liberation of humanity through their commitment to love.

“Opportunists are now trying in various ways to conceal their timeless truths behind masks of falsehood. History will surely consign them to the rubbish heap forever. We are waiting for that good time,” he said.

Rajshahi City Corporation Administrator Mahfuzur Rahman Riton attended the programme as the chief guest.

“Lalon’s music is the heritage of Bengal. It has helped take Bengal forward. The relationship between Rajshahi and Fakir Lalon dates back many centuries,” he said.

He said Lalon had created another profound mystery by coming to Kheturi in Rajshahi and attending a gathering of Vaishnava saints.

“That is why Rajshahi City Corporation established Lalon Shah Muktamanch on the bank of the Padma to keep the memory of Lalon alive,” he added.

The main attraction of the festival was a musical presentation titled ‘From Kabir to Lalon: An Imperishable Bridge of Eternal Love’, in which artists of the Kabir-Lalon Musical Mission performed 20 kalams by Kabir and Lalon.