With the resolve to follow the teachings of Lalon in devotion, initiation of human love and building a society free from division, the third International Lalon Festival 2025 was held at Queens Palace in New York on Sunday, October 19, in the presence of thousands of people. The festival was inaugurated with the title ‘Manush Bhajle Sonar Manush Habi’ by internationally renowned Baul saint Shafi Mondal. The inaugural ceremony, dedicated to the late singer Farida Parveen, who is also known as Lalonkanya, was attended by veteran journalist Mohammad Ullah, ‘Weekly Bengali’ editor Kaushik Ahmed, Weekly Thikana editor-in-chief Muhammad Fazlur Rahman, journalist Dastagir Jahangir, New York State Senator Joseph Peter, former Chief of the New York City Police Department Thomas Chen, valiant freedom fighter and scientist Dr. Zeenat Nabi, writer and freedom fighter Siru Bangali, Democrat Dr. Dilip Nath, Chairman of the Bangladeshi American Republican Alliance Nasir Khan Paul, former GS of Bangladesh Agricultural University Dr. Pradeep Ranjan Kar, music teacher Selima Ashraf, former professor of Notre Dame College Hosne Ara, FOBANA Chairman Zakaria Chowdhury, poet Nazneen Seeman, English literature teacher at John Adams High School in Queens, playwright Lutfun Nahar Lata, writer and playwright Manjur Quader, cultural organizer Minhaj Ahmed Sammu, politician Mohammad Ali Siddiqui, journalist Lavlu Ansar, NYDP officer Azhar Chowdhury, former student auditorium editor of RAKSU Mujahid Ansari, and people from different classes and professions of society.
Special awards were given to former NYDP Chief Thomas Chen, State Senator Joseph Peter, Police Sergeant Kenneth Peak, Sergeant Mohirul Chowdhury and Sergeant Ali Hasan for their contributions to community safety and various welfare areas. This year, the event was hosted by Nurul Amin Babu, the chief advisor, and Dr. Nurun Nabi, an internationally renowned scientist, Ekushey Padak-winning writer and freedom fighter, presented the awardees with commemorative crests. Lalon Sadhak Shafi Mondal and journalist Kaushik Ahmed participated in the discussion titled ‘Manush Bhajle Sonar Manush Paabi’, moderated by Selima Ashraf. Shafi Mondal said that Lalon, who was born 200 years ago, had modern thinking. He instilled in Lalon the philosophy of separating the state from religion. Lalon used to see religion and the country separately. He believed that religion is a belief in the psyche of humans. That faith allows one to get close to the Creator, but a country cannot run. To get close to the Creator, one has to love his creation. And the best way to know creation is to know oneself. Lalon said, to know the Creator, one must know oneself, have devotion, faith, humility and love for other people. Kaushik Ahmed said, we had a Lalon but we did not understand that Lalon. Lalon believed in the power of man. Those who are attacking Baul and Lalon saints today are afraid of the power of man, that is why they oppose Lalon. He said, 3 million people sacrificed their lives in 1971, but if we had understood that sacrifice of life, we would not have been in this situation today. He emphasized the importance of a humane government for building a humane country.
New Yorkers witnessed a different kind of event in the presence of domestic and foreign spectators and listeners at the third Lalon festival. The event, which lasted from 5 pm to 1 am, was full of diversity in topics. There were seminars, dances, solo and group music and sadhusanga. The performances of the new generation representatives Alvan Chowdhury, Jerin Maisha and Sagnik Majumdar not only delighted the audience but also gave them hope. Fusion dance under the direction of Russell Ahmed and the participation of Maya and Hiya, the group dance of Mithun Dance Academy and the group performance of Lalon’s song under the direction of Shah Mahbub were an exceptional arrangement of the program, which satisfied the minds of the audience. More than 25 artists performed music and dance, among whom were renowned music artists Rizia Parveen, Shah Mahbub, Shahnaz Beli, Shimul Khan, Reshmi Mirza, Krishna Tithi, Baul Kala Mia, Melal Shah, Kamruzzaman Bakul, Karim Howlader, Shahin Hossain, Mimi Alauddin, Dinat Moni, Swapnil Sajeeb and Sajal Roy. The audience enjoyed their performance with great enthusiasm, even in this mechanical life, the hall was full of audience until 1 am.
The last part of the program was the sadhu sang. When Baul sadhak Shafi Mandal sang the song of Lalon, the stage was full of all the artists and devotees, including his disciples. They worshipped the people with their songs. They sang—’Kabe Sadhur Charan Dhuli Mor Lagbe Gaya’. This invisible sadhu is none other than Shafi Mandal. By turning the song into a prayer, he spread an inspiration of humane human society among everyone. The convener of this charming Lalon festival was Abdul Hamid, the chief advisor was Nurul Amin Babu, and Gopal Sanyal planned it. It was directed by Mithrik Barua, Pinaki Talukder and Pankaj Talukder. Instrumental music was provided by Shahid Uddin, Mobarak Hossain, Ranjit Mondal, Shahadat Osman, Sourav Das, Newaz Sharif, Chanchal Imran and Captain Band. Sound and lighting were handled by ‘Sound Gear’. This wonderful event was hosted by Sharmin Siraj Sonia and Rezwana Elvis. The organizer is ‘Lalon Parishad USA’.
