Dhaka: A two-day festival titled 'All Time Shah Abdul Karim Folk Festival-2017' will begin at Derai in Sunamganj on March 3, marking the 101st birth anniversary of the Bangla folk music legend.

Popular brand of bakery products ‘All Time’ is title sponsor the festival to be organised by Baul Samrat Shah Abdul Karim Parisahd. PRAN Potato Cracker is the co-sponsor of the event.  

Nur Jalal, son of Shah Abdul Karim, and brand manager of PRAN Potato Cracker Razibul Islam were present at the press conference.

The organizers briefed the media about the festival at a press conference at a city hotel on Thursday.

Addressing the press conference, head of marketing of All Time Monirul Islam said, “All Time have been involved with the festival with a view spreading the works of Shah Abdul Karim among the new generation of the country.”

Nur Jalal said on the first day of the festival a discussion on the life and works of Shah Abdul Karim will be held.

Artists coming from different places of the country will also perform baul songs in the festival, he added.

Shah Abdul Karim wrote and composed over 1,500 songs including 'Bonde Maya Lagaise,' 'Agey Ki Shundor Din Kataitam,'  'Gari Cholena Cholena,' and 'Kano Piritee Barailarey Bondhu.'

The legend singer was awarded the Ekushey Padak in 2001 for his outstanding achievements. He also received the Drouhee Kotha-Shahitayk Abdur Rouf Choudhury Award in 2000.

Shah Abdul Karim was born on February 15, 1916 and died on September 12, 2009, in Sylhet.