Lalon Biography 
Lalon was a Baul saint, mystic, poet, social reformer and philosopher who lived in the undivided Bengal of British India. He is regarded as the founder of the Baul music who wrote and practised Baul traditional music of Bengal. His is an icon of religious tolerance and his songs have influenced great poets and thinkers like Tagore, Kazi Nazrul Islam and Allen Ginsberg. He has been popular after his death too.
He was born in 1774 in Bengal presidency though there is no proper record of his childhood and early life. One account states that he contracted smallpox during a pilgrimage to Murshidabad and his friends abandoned him near river Ganges. He was later brought up a weaver family, Malam Shah and his wife Matijan belonging to Muslim community in the village Cheouria. Inspired by the musician of the village Shiraj Sain, he founded a musical group and composed and performed songs. Lalon was against religious conflict and nationalism and his songs were out of bound of religion. His Baul music is practised by both Hindus and Muslims.
Lalon does not fit the "mystical" or "spiritual" type. Instead he embodies the socially transformative role of sub-contintental bhakti and sufism. He truly believed that power of music can alter human thoughts and emotions. He included various philosophical positions of different religions around the world in his works. He identified himself with the Nadiya school, with Advaita Acharya, Nityananda and Chaitanya and was greatly influenced by the social movement initiated by Chaitanya against social discrimantion based on caste and community.
He described his thoughts through his poems and songs. He composed about 10,000 songs of which only 2,000 - 3,000 are available now. The rest has been lost in the past! hob Loke Koy Lalon Ki Jat Shongshare, Khachar Bhitor Ochin Pakhi, Jat Gelo Jat Gelo Bole, Dekhna Mon Jhokmariay Duniyadari, Pare Loye Jao Amai, Milon Hobe Koto Dine, Ar Amare Marishne Ma and Tin Pagoler Holo Mela are his most popular songs. In 1963, a mausoleum and research centre was built at the site of his shrine and people do visit this shrine twice a year.
Published: N/A
Updated: March 06, 2014
