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
