Fakir Lalon is one of the most influencing heritages of Bangladesh. Lalon’s songs are our part of heritage, culture, values, philosophy and secular mentality. He was born at the end of the eighteenth century though where he was born is still unknown to us.

Somehow he started living at Chheuriya in Khustia. There he practiced different type of philosophy. He believed there is no different among Muslims, Hindus, Christians and other religion sects because all came from the same origin. Moreover, all desire the reward after death. That’s why Lalon songs are appreciated all over the world and have been announced a world oral heritage by UNESCO.

Anyway, he died in 1890 and celebrating his 122nd death anniversary Lalon Academy Complex and Khustia district administration have organized a five-day long festival. A number of people are attending the festival with a happy mode. But the purpose of the festival and attendants are not happy most of the time. The authority think arranging a programme is their only duty and most of the attendants use the programme as a chance of taking different drugs openly.

Even in the stage the real practitioners of Lalong songs don’t get chance to perform the real songs of Lalon. Every thing is controlled politically their. The mass people are harassed there by the drug sellers frequently. Everyone is shocked to see the museum of Lalon because it is completely unsecured. As a result, we visitors frequently destroy the pictures of Lalon ond the things kept in it. There are only two Lalon’s pictures but they are torn. This way we are insulting our heritage and culture because Lalon is our part of history, heritage and culture. Can we tell why Lalon is insulted and ignored much? Can’t we honour him?

Mohammah Jashim Uddin
Bangladesh
E Mail : jashimnub@yahoo.com