Mymensingh’s Zainul Udyan comes alive with Shah Abdul Karim’s music
Zainul Udyan in Mymensingh came alive with the soulful melodies of legendary Baul saint Shah Abdul Karim as the third edition of the monthly folk music programme "Bhab Taranga" was held on Friday evening.
Organised by local cultural organisation Samaj Rupantar Sangskritik Sangha, the programme aims to promote Bangladesh’s folk-rooted cultural heritage among younger generations while preserving the values of indigenous culture and the spirit of the Liberation War.
Held regularly on the second Friday of every month at Zainul Udyan, located along the banks of the Brahmaputra River, the gathering brings audiences closer to the country’s traditional Baul music in an intimate, open-air setting.
The third edition, titled "Karim Parbo", featured timeless songs by Shah Abdul Karim, reflecting his messages of humanity, equality and communal harmony.
Baul maestros Jalal Shah Chishti and Abdul Jabbar, one of the senior-most Baul practitioners in the Mymensingh region, performed alongside Baul Swadesh Talukder, Md Shahidul Islam, Md Abdul Hafiz, Md Siraj Mondal, Billal Fakir and Imtiaz Ahmed.
The singers began the evening with Shah Abdul Karim’s "Tumio Manush, Amio Manush, Shobai Ek Mayer Shontan", a song that reflects the legendary Baul’s message of equality and communal harmony. They went on to perform a selection of his songs representing different musical traditions associated with the iconic folk musician.
The performances were further enriched by traditional instruments. Md Shahidul Islam and Swadesh Sarkar played the harmonium, Alamgir Hossain Rana played the dhol, and Billal Hossain performed on the mandira. A tabla duet by Syed Arman Hossain and Emon added another layer to the evening’s musical atmosphere.
The performances drew enthusiastic applause from the audience throughout the evening.
Imtiaz Ahmed Tansen, president of Samaj Rupantar Sangskritik Sangha, said the initiative was launched to bring the messages of equality, communal harmony and humanity preached by Baul saints closer to ordinary people.
“There is no modern mechanical setup or artificial grandeur in the programme. To preserve the rural and traditional atmosphere, the artists sit on the ground by the Brahmaputra and perform their songs,” Tansen said.
He added that each edition of "Bhab Taranga" focuses on the songs and philosophy of a particular Baul saint.
“The programme is being organised to spread the simple and gentle philosophy of Baul saints while remaining close to the soil and the people,” he said.
The organisers said "Bhab Taranga" began its journey in July with a session dedicated to Lalon songs. Its second edition, titled "Jalal Parbo", was held on August 14 and featured songs by Baul saint Jalal Uddin Khan, exploring themes surrounding the human body and creation.
The third edition, "Karim Parbo", was dedicated to Shah Abdul Karim.
The audience also praised the organisers for creating a space where traditional folk music could be experienced in an authentic setting.
The organisers said Bangladesh has long been home to spiritual Baul saints whose music has carried messages of humanity, equality and communal harmony across generations.
At a time when commercial music increasingly dominates the cultural landscape, they stressed the importance of preserving these timeless folk melodies and continuing to connect younger generations with the country’s rich folk heritage.
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