🌦️ Unit 2, Lesson 2: Lalon
Lalon Shah (1774–1890) is best known as an icon of the Baul tradition in Bengal, although he was also a philosopher, thinker and social reformer. He preached religious tolerance and rejected social differences based on class, caste and creed. He also believed that a search for truth should begin with the body, which reflects the mystery of creation.
Although Lalon’s songs are admired for the profound philosophical and mystical insights they offer, he did not receive any formal education. Not much is known about his early life. A popular story about him — which many believe to be true — is that while on a pilgrimage to a holy place, Lalon, who was born a Hindu, contracted smallpox and was abandoned by his companions. A Muslim fakir, Siraj Sain, picked him up and took him to his own house where he nursed him back to health. When Lalon returned home, his family refused to take him in as he had lived in a Muslim household. So Lalon returned to Siraj Sain and took up a life of devotion and asceticism under his guidance.
After the death of Sainji, Lalon set up an akhrah or monastery in Cheuriya near Kushtia. It soon attracted admirers and mystics in search of salvation who became initiated into Baul asceticism and became his disciples. As Lalon began writing and composing songs, which his disciples sang with the accompaniment of ektara or dotara, his fame spread to faraway places. Rabindranath Tagore and Kazi Nazrul Islam were among those who admired him and were influenced by his shahajiya philosophy (the attainment of the self through the simple truths that reside in one’s own body and soul — not outside — which can be reached through sadhana or meditation). Many of his disciples also became famous for their songs. They included:
- Kangal Harinath Majumder
- Pagla Kanai
- Dudu Shah
Necessary Words and Phrases
| Word | Definition | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| icon (Noun) | IPA: /ˈaɪ.kɒn/ Bengali: প্রতীক; চিহ্ন; আইকন Synonyms: symbol, emblem, idol, figure |
He is considered a cultural icon for his groundbreaking work. |
| social reformer (Noun) | IPA: /ˌsəʊ.ʃəl rɪˈfɔː.mər/ Bengali: সমাজ সংস্কারক Synonyms: social activist, change-maker, societal reformist |
The social reformer worked tirelessly to improve the lives of disadvantaged people. |
| preached (Verb – past tense of “preach”) | IPA: /priːtʃt/ Bengali: উপদেশ দিয়েছিলেন; প্রচার করেছিলেন Synonyms: taught, advocated, spread, proclaimed |
He preached kindness and compassion throughout his life. |
| class, caste and creed (Noun Phrase) | IPA: /klæs, kɑːst ænd kriːd/ Bengali: শ্রেণি, জাত ও ধর্ম Synonyms: social groupings, social divisions |
He rejected all differences based on class, caste and creed. |
| admired (Verb) | IPA: /ədˈmaɪərd/ Bengali: প্রশংসিত; সমাদৃত Synonyms: praised, respected |
Lalon’s songs are admired for their deep spiritual messages. |
| profound (Adjective) | IPA: /prəˈfaʊnd/ Bengali: গভীর; গভীর অর্থপূর্ণ Synonyms: deep, intense |
The poem contains profound philosophical ideas. |
| pilgrimage (Noun) | IPA: /ˈpɪlɡrɪmɪdʒ/ Bengali: তীর্থযাত্রা Synonyms: religious journey, spiritual trip |
They went on a pilgrimage to visit the holy shrine. |
| devotion (Noun) | IPA: /dɪˈvoʊʃən/ Bengali: ভক্তি; নিবেদন Synonyms: dedication, loyalty |
His life was marked by deep devotion to spiritual practice. |
| asceticism (Noun) | IPA: /əˈsɛtɪˌsɪzəm/ Bengali: তপস্যা; কঠোর সংযমমূলক জীবনযাপন Synonyms: austerity, self-discipline |
Lalon embraced asceticism under the guidance of Siraj Sain. |
| set up (Phrasal Verb) | IPA: /sɛt ʌp/ Bengali: প্রতিষ্ঠা করা; স্থাপন করা Synonyms: establish, create |
He set up a monastery in Cheuriya for his followers. |
| salvation (Noun) | IPA: /sælˈveɪʃən/ Bengali: মুক্তি; পরিত্রাণ Synonyms: deliverance, liberation |
Many seekers came in search of spiritual salvation. |
| disciples (Noun) | IPA: /dɪˈsaɪpəlz/ Bengali: শিষ্যরা; অনুসারীরা Synonyms: followers, devotees |
Lalon’s disciples spread his songs to distant regions. |
| Shahajiya philosophy (Noun Phrase) | IPA: /ʃɑː.haːˈdʒiː.jə fɪˈlɒs.ə.fi/ Bengali: সহাজিয়া দর্শন Synonyms: Sahajiya tradition, mystical Sahajiya thought |
Shahajiya philosophy emphasizes discovering spiritual truth through natural, simple, and bodily experiences. |
1. Multiple Choice Questions
- Who is Lalon Shah primarily known as?
- An icon of the Baul tradition in Bengal.
- A royal poet of the Mughal court.
- A military leader and reformer.
- A classical Sanskrit scholar.
- What social practices did Lalon Shah strongly reject?
- The celebration of local folk festivals.
- Differences based on class, caste and creed.
- Traveling to foreign countries for education.
- Influence of Western music on Baul songs.
- Which experience from Lalon's early life significantly changed the course of his life?
- Winning a music competition at a young age.
- His formal religious education in a monastery.
- His discovery of rare musical instruments.
- Being abandoned during a pilgrimage and later saved by Siraj Sain.
- Which quality of Lalon’s songs is highlighted in the passage?
- Their focus on political criticism.
- Their scientific explanation of nature.
- Their strict religious instructions.
- Their profound philosophical and mystical insights.
- What did Lalon Shah establish in Cheuriya near Kushtia?
- A school for classical dance.
- A center for music recording.
- An akhrah or monastery.
- A marketplace for rural artisans.
- Who were among the notable admirers influenced by Lalon’s philosophy?
- Rabindranath Tagore and Kazi Nazrul Islam.
- Michael Madhusudan Dutt and Jasim Uddin.
- Begum Rokeya and A.K. Fazlul Huq.
- Zahir Raihan and Satyajit Ray.
- What term best describes the followers who learned from and spread Lalon’s teachings?
- Patrons.
- Collaborators.
- Disciples.
- Mentors.