Sylhet: Today (Saturday) is the sixth death anniversary of late Baul Samrat Shah Abdul Karim.

Karim was born on 15 February1916 at Ujan Dhol village in Derai, Sunamganj.  

Growing up in poverty and facing hardship, he started expressing his thoughts and emotions musically from a very early age.  

Ektara, a traditional single string musical instrument, had always been his constant companion.

However, poverty forced him to seek work in agricultural farms.  

As he was growing up, he received training on spiritual and Baul music from Shah Ibrahim Mastan Baksh. Mastan was from Sreepur Peer Mohol.

Shah Abdul Karim wrote and composed over 1,500 songs.

These songs are organised in six books: Aftab Sangeet, Gano Sangeet, Kalnir Dheu, Dholmela, Bhatir Chithi and Kalnir Kooley.

Bangla Academy has translated ten of his songs into English.

Baul legend Shah Abdul Karim won the hearts of millions of Bangla music lovers with masterpieces like ‘Bonde Maya Lagaise,’ ‘Kano Piritee Barailarey Bondhu,’ ‘Gari Cholena Cholena,’ ‘Ami Koolhara Kolonkini,’ ‘Agey Ki Shundor Din Kataitam,’ and many more.

He was awarded the 2001 Ekushey Padak for his outstanding musical achievements.  

He also received the Drouhee Kotha-Shahitayk Abdur Rouf Choudhury Award in 2000.

Shah Abdul Karim died of respiratory problems in Sylhet on 12 September 2009.

On this occasion, a doa mahfil and Baul musical soiree have been arranged at his village residence.

To immorterlise his memory, the Sunamganj district administration has taken an initiative to set up a memorial at has grave, the foundation laying of which will he held on the day.