Tributes pour in for 'Baul Samrat'

Tributes pour in for 'Baul Samrat' Photo: TV grab Star Online ReportThousands of people from different walks of life paid homage to legendary folk artist Shah Abdul Karim, who died this morning at a hospital in Sylhet. Different political and socio-cultural organisations placed wreaths on the coffin of the 'Baul Samrat' after it was brought to Sylhet Shaheed Minar at about 1:00pm. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed her deep shock at the death of the renowned folk lyricist, singer and composer. In a condolence message, the prime minister said the demise of Shah Abdul Karim is an irreparable loss to the cultural arena of the Bengali nation. The first namaz-e-janaza of Shah Abdul Karim was held after Zohr prayers on the mazar premises of Hazarat Shah Jalal (RA) in Sylhet. The 'Baul Samrat' will be buried beside his wife Sarala Devi at his village home Ujandhol in Derai upazila of Sunamganj following another namaz-e-janaza after Zohr prayers tomorrow. The legendary folk artist died of old age complications at Nurjahan General Hospital in Sylhet at 7:58am at the age of 93, reports our staff correspondent in Sylhet. Before the death, the legendary folk artist was kept on artificial life-support system at the Intensive Care Unit after his condition deteriorated yesterday morning, his physician at the Nurjahan General Hospital said. He was suffering from respiratory problem along with other complications, his doctor added. The poet was brought to the hospital from his village home in Ujandhol under Derai upazila of Sunamganj on September 3. Abdul Karim was born in 1916 in a low land area (locally known as 'Bhati anchal') called Ujandhol in Sunamganj district. The place remains submerged almost eight months of a year. Karim never had a chance to attend any school. Growing up with poverty and hardship, he started expressing his thoughts and emotions musically from very early age. Ektara, a traditional single string instrument has been his constant companion. His songs had spell-binding effects on the people in and around his village, not to mention his melodic, soothing and pleasingly rustic voice. He was so indulged in music that unlike other typical Bangladeshis he failed to engage in some 'jobs' and continued entertaining people with his music (by and large, music is yet to be recognized as a full grown profession in Bangladesh). However, poverty forced him to get into agricultural labour. But nothing could stop him from making good music. As he was growing up, he received training on spiritual and baul music from Kamal Uddin, Shadhak Rashid Uddin, Shah Ibrahim Mastan Baksh. His versatility ranged from Baul song, Spiritual song to Bhatiali. He went on learning all the exclusive modules of Baul song afterwards along with Shariatti, Marfatti, Nabuoti, Belayati, the various devout form of music. He was motivated by philosophy of renowned Lalan Shah, Panju Shah and Duddu Shah. He was awarded the Ekushey Padok in 2001 for his outstanding musical achievements. His contribution reflected by the modern singer Habib. He also received Drouhee Kotha-shahitayk Abdur Rouf Choudhury Award in 2000. Baul Shah Abdul Karim has written and composed over 1600 songs. These songs are organized in six books, like: Aftab Sangeet, Gano Sangeet, Kalnir Dheu, Dholmela, Bhatir Chithi and Kalnir Kooley. Bangla Academy has translated ten of his songs into English language. Shah Abdul Karim, the legend of Baul songs and a versatile genius, had all through lived a very simple life often faced with harsh reality. However, with the recent trend of popular 'modern' versions of his (and other) Baul songs in Bangladesh, he is now widely recognized and honoured by people, even by the younger generations who had never been 'fans of tradition folk songs'. Some of Karim’s most famous musical numbers include – Agey ki shundor din kataitham, Gari cholena cholena, Jil Mil Jil Mil Kore, Ashi Bole Gelo Bondhu, Kano piritee barailarey bondhu, Maiya lagaise, Ami koolhara kolonkini, Ami tomar kol-er gari, Shokhi kunjo shajao, Ailai na ailai na and Boshonto Batashey.