Baul Samrat Shah Abdul Karim’s 10th death anniversary will be observed today.
Different socio-cultural organisations have chalked out elaborate programmes to mark the day.
Private television channel, Channel i will remember the music legend through their regular programme ‘Gaane Shokal Shuru’. Popular singers Dr Biswajit Ghosh, Lovely Day and Baul Abdul Rahman will perform Shah Abdul Karim’s gaan in the programme.Besides, eminent Tagore singer Rezwana Choudhury Bannya will perform in the programme on September 13 to September 15.
On the other hand, singers Palash and Deepa will perform baul songs on Banglavison’s popular programme ‘Music Club’ tonight at 11:25pm.
Karim was born on February 15, 1916 at Ujan Dhol village in Derai upazila of Sunamganj district; Shah Abdul Karim led a very simple life.
He is very popular musician around the country, especially in the Bhati area.
Abdul Karim is famous in the remote village area for the very long time but gets popularity in city area only a few years ago when some newcomer singer established themselves by singing his song.
Growing up in poverty and facing hardship, he started expressing his thoughts and emotions musically from a very early age.Ektara, a traditional single string musical instrument, had always been his constant companion.
However, poverty forced him to seek work in agricultural farms.
As he was growing up, he received training on spiritual and Baul music from Shah Ibrahim Mastan Baksh. Mastan was from Sreepur Peer Mohol.
Shah Abdul Karim wrote and composed over 1,500 songs.
These songs are organised in six books: Aftab Sangeet, Gano Sangeet, Kalnir Dheu, Dholmela, Bhatir Chithi and Kalnir Kooley.
Bangla Academy has translated ten of his songs into English.
Baul legend Shah Abdul Karim won the hearts of millions of Bangla music lovers with masterpieces like “Bonde Maya Lagaise,” “Kano Piritee Barailarey Bondhu,” “Gari Cholena Cholena,” “Ami Koolhara Kolonkini,” “Agey Ki Shundor Din Kataitam,” and many more.
He was awarded the Ekushey Padak in 2001 for his outstanding musical achievements.
He also received the Drouhee Kotha-Shahitayk Abdur Rouf Choudhury Award in 2000. Shah Abdul Karim died of respiratory problems in Sylhet on September 12, 2009. For the first time in 2007, a book based on his life and work was published in the lifetime of Shah Abdul Karim.
He died in Sylhet on 12 September 2009 due to respiratory problems.
