lalon fokir

lalon fokir, also known as lalon shah (c.1774–1890), lived in the village of cheuria in the area known during pre-colonial, undivided bengal as nodia (in the district of kushtia in present-day bangladesh).

lalon is one of the most brilliant and philosophically insightful minds born in oral and textual traditions who expressed his ideas in beautiful songs and wonderful musical compositions using instruments that could be made by any rural households from materials available at home: an ektara (a one string musical instrument) and a dugdugi (a hand drum). the texts of the songs was explicitly written to engage in the philosophical discourses of bengal continuing since tantric traditions of the subcontinent, particularly nepal, bengal and the gangetic plains. in lalon one finds critical reappropriation of the various philosophical positions emanating from the legacies of hindu, jaina, buddha and islamic traditions developing into a coherent discourse without falling into the mixes of being syncretic. he is definitely going to occupy a central position in various ecological, feminist and politics of care and responsibility aiming radical transformation of the society.

lalon has composed numerous songs and poems which depicts his philosophy.among his favourite songs are 'khachar bhitor auchin pakhi', 'jat gelo', 'dekhna mon jhokmariay duniyadari', 'paare loye jao amay', 'milon hobe koto dine', 'aar amare marishne maa' etc.

click here if you'd like to hear some lalon songs.

content courtesy wikipedia.org

mahasthangarh

mahasthan, the oldest archaeological site of bangladesh is on the western bank of river karatoa 18 km, north of bogra town beside bogra-rangpur road. the spectacular site is an imposing landmark in the area having a fortified. oblong enclosure measuring 5000 ft. by 4500 ft. with an average height of 1 5 ft. from the surrounding paddy fields. beyond the fortified area. other ancient ruins fan out within a semicircle of about five miles radius. several isolated mounds, the local names of which are govinda bhita temple, khodai pathar mound, mankalir kunda, parasuramer bedi, jiyat kunda etc. surround the fortified city.

this 8th century archaeological site is still held to be of great sanctity by the hindus. every year ( mid-april ) and once in every 12 years (december) thousands of hindu devotees join the ceremony on the bank of river karatoa. a visit to the mahasthangarh site museum will open up for you wide variety of antiquities, ranging from terra-cotta objects to gold ornaments and coins recovered from the site.

for visiting paharpur and mahasthangarh. the visitors may enjoy the hospitality of parjatan motel at bogra. mahasthangarh and paharpur are only 18 km. and 75 km. respectively from bogra town.

content courtesy: betelco.com

kazi nazrul islam

i am the burning volcano in the bosom of the earth,
i am the wild fire of the woods,
i am Hell's mad terrific sea of wrath!
i ride on the wings of lightning with joy and profundity,
i scatter misery and fear all around,
i bring earth-quakes on this world!

kazi nazrul islam (25 May 1899–29 August 1976) was a bengali poet, musician, revolutionary, and philosopher who pioneered poetic works espousing intense spiritual rebellion against orthodoxy and oppression. his poetry and nationalist activism earned him the popular title of bidrohi kobi (Rebel Poet). accomplishing a large body of acclaimed works through his life, nazrul is officially recognised as the national poet of bangladesh and commemorated in india.

[ learn more about nazrul ]