Kustia Lalon fakir'er akhra- a traveling from heart to soul. [কুষ্টিয়ায় লালন ফকিরের আখড়া]

Kustia Lalon fakir'er akhra- a traveling from heart to soul. [কুষ্টিয়ায় লালন ফকিরের আখড়া]

Kustia is the cultural capital of Bangladesh because it is the birthplace of Lalon Fakir [“Emperor of Bauls”] , a mystic poet. His music had been influenced by the diversity of mystic folk songs. He was departed on bangle 1^st kartik [16th or 17^th October]. A three days long Baul festival starts from 16th and ends on 18th October. 

Visitor come here from all over the country and also india. They try to feel and enjoy in-depth every single segment of  mysterious baul ritual. This three days  are most influential in Bangladeshi culture. Lalon's philosophical expression was based in oral and textual traditions, and expressed in songs and musical compositions. The lyrics of his songs were explicitly meant to engage in the philosophical discourses of Bengal. He critically re-appropriated the various philosophical positions emanating from the legacies of Hindu, Jain, Buddhist and Islamic traditions, developing them into a coherent school of thought. 

It is going against all forms of socio-economic hierarchy, caste, class, and gender and any forms of politics of identity based on race, nationality and religion. It makes a common space for all kinds of people.

Lalon had composed about 10,000 songs of which 2,000-3,000 can be tracked down today. Among his most popular songs are Khachar bhitor achin pakhi, Jat gelo jat gelo bole, Dekhna mon jhokmariay duniyadari, Paare loye jao amay, Milon hobe koto dine, Aar amare marishne maa, Tin pagoler holo mela etc.

Bauls, who came from all over Bangladesh, took their places wherever they liked, making a group of their own and started signing to the honor of their Emperor “Baba Lalon Shah”. People used to sit almost all of the places to hear their mystic songs and surprisingly feel everybody sing so well. Generally a group used to play a song with the help of local musical instruments such as, ‘ektara’, ‘dotara’, ‘tobla’, ‘dug-dugi’, harmonium, flute, ‘mondira’, ‘jhunjuni’ etc. It is so remarkable to see that every player of those instruments can sing well and so far their voice go high, they mysteriously stayed tune with the song and without resting, they are singing one by one. It is completely and totally an incredible mysterious time for visitor.

How to go from Dhaka: There are plenty of bus services available but Shamoli or S.B Paribahan [non ac 280 tk and ac 350 tk]are the best traveler’s choice. Bus are available from Khallyanpur and gabtoli . From  Kustia town visitor can heir Rikshaw [15-20 tk] direct to Cheuria, “Laloner Akhra”. In reasonable price deferent categories of hotel are available in kustia town. Most of the visitor are prefer to stay near at Lalon akhra. They get here a limited facilities. Rabindranath Tagor’s Kuthi bari at Shilaidoh is neaer from this place. you cross the Gorail River and started for Kuthi Bari by reserving a Riksha-Van. Robindranath’s Kuthi Bari is well furnished for visitors (Opened from 10AM).

From kustia you find available bus to go to islami university campus and Mujibnagar.