Singers of cultural organisation Mandira present songs of Shah Abdul Karim. — Snigdha Zaman

Legendary Baul singer-composer Shah Abdul Karim’s evergreen songs were presented on Thursday at the Music and Dance Centre of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy.
The programme was a part of Bangladesh Sangeet Sanghatan Sammanay Parisad’s regular fortnightly musical venture. Artistes of cultural organisation Mandira presented Abdul Karim’s songs in group and solo rendition at the show.
The programme began with a group performance of Ami Bangla mayer chhele.
Jigges kori tomar kache, Tomar kunja sajao go and Ager bahaduri ekhon koi gelo were presented respectively by Alauddin, Runa and Bajlur Rahman in solo presentations.    
Young girl Tanha’s spontaneous presentation of Keno piriti barailare bandhu entertained the audiences.  
Singer Toyaz Uddin Biswas presented several numbers including Manush hoye talash korle and Jey korey attosamarpan.
Rendition of one of the most popular songs of Abdul Karim Gari cholena chole na by Laboni received much audience acclaims. Another very popular number of Abdul Karim Kemone bhulibo ami by Antora also pleased the audiences.     
A sense of joy filled the hearts of the listeners when Gram-er naojowan hindi musalman was enthusiastically presented in a group performance.  
Karim’s several other beautiful creations including Aila na aila na re bandhu, Bande maya lagaichhe, Gaan gai amar monere bujhai, Ranger duniya torey chay na, Eisob niye dando keno, Tumi bine akul poran and Tumi sujan kandari were also performed at the show. 
Shah Abdul Karim, who was born on February 15, 1916 and died on September 12, 2009, was one of the most famous figures of Bangladeshi folk music. Popularly known as ‘Baul Samrat,’ Abdul Karim has written and composed over 1600 songs. These songs are compiled in six books titled: Aftab Sangeet, Gano Sangeet, Kalnir Dheu, Dholmela, Bhatir Chithi and Kalnir Kooley. He was awarded with the Ekushey Padak in the year 2001 for his outstanding contribution to the Bangla music.