The government declared the death anniversary of Fakir Lalon Shah on October 17 as a ‘Ka’ category day.
The decision was taken on Thursday at the advisory council meeting held at the chief adviser’s office in Dhaka with chief adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus in the chair.
Chief adviser’s press secretary Shafiqul Alam disclosed the information at a press briefing at the Foreign Service Academy in the city.
‘The advisory council has approved a proposal to recognise October 17, the death anniversary of the great Baul saint Fakir Lalon Shah, as a category ‘Ka’ day,’ he said.
The press secretary said that Fakir Lalon Shah was not only a lyricist or musician, he was a philosopher and a seeker of profound life wisdom.
‘His songs have stirred the hearts of the Bangalees for generations. Lalon’s philosophy of equality, love for human beings, and non-communal spirit continue to inspire us till today,’ Shafiqul Alam said.
Lalon’s music had long transcended the Baul community, becoming an inseparable part of cultural life across rural and urban Bangladesh, he said.
According to the ministry of cultural Affairs, the press secretary said that the recognition of Lalon’s death anniversary as a ‘Ka’ category day was expected to give new impetus to research and cultural practice in universities, research institutions, and cultural organisations.
‘This decision will also help showcase Bangladesh’s rich cultural heritage on the global stage. Lalon is one of the treasured assets of our global cultural heritage,’ Shafiqul noted.
The council also discussed honouring other cultural icons such as novelist Humayun Ahmed, artist SM Sultan, and rock musician Ayub Bachchu, he said, adding that however, only the proposal on Fakir Lalon Shah’s death anniversary was finalised at the meeting.
Previously, the birth and death anniversaries of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam and Bishwa Kobi Rabindranath Tagore were included in the ‘Ka’ category list of days.
Chief adviser’s deputy press secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder and senior assistant press secretary Foyez Ahammad were present at the briefing.
