SEARCHING DIVINE WITHIN

Curtains on the first Dhaka International Folk Festival rises today. The three-day grand folk fiesta is featuring maestros from five countries. Eminent Bangladeshi artistes -- Rob Fakir and Shofi Mondal, together with a talented folk artiste-instrumentalist Labik Kamal Gaurob is set to perform today at 9pm. Along with the trio -- who will predominantly perform Lalon songs at the event, Buno (guitars), Saad (guitars) Bart (bass), Jibon (drums), Nazrul (dhol) and Jalal (banshi) will accompany the performance.

Lalon critically re-appropriated various philosophical positions emanating from the conventional Hindu, Jain, Buddhist and Islamic traditions -- developing them into a coherent school of thought. His songs have attracted widespread attention for their mystical approach to humanism as well as their melodious tunes.

A soft-spoken baul, Rob Fakir's soulful vocal gives him a definite edge over his peers. The artiste says that while singing, he immerses himself wholly in Lalon's realm. “It's not 'singing' unless one sings straight from the heart. The core aspect of Lalon's philosophy is the search for Divine within. Lalon's songs evoke 'gyan' (knowledge) which ultimately generates 'bhaab' (union of souls),” said Rob Fakir.

Seasoned Lalon singer and Guru Shofi Mondal's (born in Kushtia) father, the late Maolana Ahad Ali Mondal, was a fourth generation disciple of Fakir Lalon Shai. At 25, Shofi went to Krishnanagar, West Bengal (India) where he learnt classical music under Sadhon Mukherjee for four years.

Photo: Sheikh Mehedi Morshed

“Lalon Fakir popularised a preceptor- disciple oriented tradition; the core value of this is humanism. When I sing his verses, I feel as if Lalon himself is singing through me. I'm no more than a conduit. I mingle both folk and classical music styles in my rendition of 'bhaab' or 'mahajani' sangeet,” said Shofi Mandal.

“I would like to get my audience immerse in the ecstasy of 'bhaab' sangeet rather than rocking them with rhythm. Keeping the main themes of the songs intact, we would like to represent our songs in a newer style, where there will be a balanced acoustic and electric combination. To display our opulent folk music heritage to the outside world, we must unanimously come forward to the great cause. Patronisation and dedicated practice are prerequisite to attain the goal,” said Labik Kamal Gaurob.