Kabir-Lalon Bhabsangeet Festival Ends in Sreemangal After Touring All Eight Divisions

The Kabir-Lalon Bhabsangeet Festival has ended in Sreemangal, Moulvibazar, after touring all eight divisional regions of the country. The nationwide festival closed on Friday evening (30 October) with a concluding ceremony at the Zila Parishad Multipurpose Auditorium in Sreemangal.

At the closing ceremony, veteran educationist, writer and researcher Professor Nripendralal Das called on the new generation to understand and follow the timeless philosophy of Saint Kabir and Lalon Fakir. He inaugurated the event by lighting a ceremonial lamp.

Professor Das said various conspiracies are under way to detach the young generation from the country's noble heritage and true sense of history and push them toward despair and disorder. In this situation, he said, a nationwide cultural awakening is essential.

He added that organising the Kabir-Lalon Bhabsangeet Festival across the country is a positive start to that cultural awakening. Such inclusive events must be held regularly every year, he said, so that young people can learn about the timeless philosophy of Kabir and Lalon and be inspired to follow it.

Organised by Lalon Bishwasangha with the support of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, the festival began on 11 September at the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy premises in the capital. After events in all eight divisional regions, it concluded on Friday in Sreemangal, Moulvibazar, in Sylhet Division.

The ceremony, dedicated to Sufi Sadar Uddin Ahmad Chishti, author of the Akhanda Quran Darshan, was attended by Md Mujibur Rahman Chowdhury, MP for Moulvibazar-4 (Kamalganj-Sreemangal), as chief guest. Aniruddha Das, India's Assistant High Commissioner posted in Sylhet, was special guest. Abdel Mannan, chief executive of Lalon Bishwasangha and a Kabir-Lalon researcher, presided over the event.

In his speech, chief guest Md Mujibur Rahman Chowdhury said the festival centred on Kabir-Lalon devotional music has added a new dimension to the local cultural scene in Sreemangal, a town known for tourism and various cultural events.

Special guest Aniruddha Das said the eternal and universal vision of truth of great souls is not confined to any particular place or time; its appeal is everywhere.

At the closing ceremony, artistes of the Kabir-Lalon Musical Mission from Dhaka performed Kabir-Lalon songs from 6pm to 10pm.

The festival then ended with music and dance performances by artistes from the working Kabirpanthi and Rabidaspanthi communities of various tea gardens across greater Sylhet.