Lalon Shah

Rashid Askari

Ed. by Niaz Zaman, Independent University Bangladesh
The Literary Encyclopedia. Volume 10.3.2: Pakistani and Bangladeshi Writing and Culture.
Vol. editors: Claire Gallien (Université Paul Valéry Montpellier 3), Sarker Hasan Al Zayed (Independent University Bangladesh), Pavan Kumar Malreddy (J W Goethe University of Frankfurt), Delphine Munos (Université de Liège), Muneeza Shamsie (Independent Scholar - Asia), Niaz Zaman (Independent University Bangladesh)

Dates

Born 17 Oct 1774
Died 17 Oct 1890

Places

Born in Bangladesh
Active in Bangladesh

Activities

Primary

Philosopher
Writer / Author

Resources

Shah's Works

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Lalon Shah [also known as Lalon Sai (guru of the

baul

community), Fakir Lalon Shah (religious ascetic), Mahatma Lalon (Lalon the Great)] was the leading figure among the ninetenth century mystic singers of Bengal (now Bangladesh) popularly known as

bauls

. The

bauls

, as Charles H. Capwell notes, “constitute a religious sect, [and] are esteemed because their iconoclasm, disregard of caste, and merger of Hindu and Islamic traditions gives them an enviable freedom to confront life as individuals outside the prevailing social and religious confines” (255). He was one of the greatest saint poets of undivided India and is recognized in Bangladesh as “The Emperor of

Bauls

” for the enormous quantity of his songs that have captured the hearts and minds of Bengalis for generations. He was…

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2666 words

Citation: Askari, Rashid. "Lalon Shah". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 09 June 2022 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/speople.php?rec=true&UID=14598, accessed 26 April 2024.]

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