ARTICLE │ HIGHLIGHTING LOCAL SONG │ MUSIC
Uniting with the Ultimate
Highlighting a song of Renowned Bengali Personality Fakir Lalon Shah
A prominent Bengali philosopher, author, Baul saint, mystic, songwriter, social reformer and thinker — Fakir Lalon Shah is a mystery to me, still. Although he had died in 1890, yet his songs and philosophy inspire millions of people in Bangladesh and India, along with some famous intellectuals like nobel literature laureate Rabindranath Tagore, poet Allen Ginsberg, and even Bob Dylan, where some of his songs inspired him.
Look, how a strange bird flits in and out of the cage! O brother, I wish I could bind it with my mindís fetters. Have you seen a house of eight rooms with nine doors Closed and open, with windows in between, mirrored? O mind, you are a bird encaged! And of green sticks Is your cage made, but it will be broken one day. Lalon says: Open the cage, look how the bird wings away!-
(Song: A Strange Bird) by Fakir Lalon Shah
Fakir Lalon Shah was an epitome of religious tolerance, where he always expressed the world of harmony amongst the religions and beliefs. His words and songs embodied bhakti and Sufism elements, and with the instruments like ektara and duggi, Fakir Lalon Shah sang songs of indescribable reality.
The song I wanted to highlight is called, মনের মানুষ (Moner Manush). Here goes the lyrics (in Bengali and in English translation):
It is a mystical song, connecting Lalon (as portrayed as self, humanity) to the ultimate power (God almighty or the universe). In my childhood, I thought that it is a sort of love-song when I first heard it. Afterward, I realized the inherent meaning of the song and fall in love with it.
Fortunately, I had the chance to see the place of Fakir Lalon Shah, which is situated at Kushtia, Bangladesh. As my workstation was in that place during 2012–2013, I had a whole year full of experiences of the Baul musical experiences. Once our office hours were over, our team always visited the place to hear ‘baul songs’ on the weekends. There I had the chance to listen to ‘baul’ songs in natural tones and voices of Bauls (followers of Fakir Lalon Shah and his philosophy).
As music knows no boundary, Lalon songs are being harmonized and translated into different languages, which reaches and touches more and more hearts every day.
Following is the song performed in Coke Studio India — depicting the melody of this great song with different instruments. Enjoy.
Sources used: * Wikipedia common sources. * YouTube * A Strange Bird — English version, under Creative Commons Attribution * Words and songs of Lalon Sangeet were all written by Fakir Lalon Shah; all Lalan songs are under Public Domain Category.
