Shah Abdul Karim
Baul Shah Abdul Karim was a Bangladeshi Baul musician and philosopher. Widely regarded as one of the greatest Baul musicians, he was called Baul Samrat. The Government of Bangladesh awarded him the Ekushey Padak, the country's highest civilian decoration, in 2001. Alongside his enormous discography of Baul music, Karim had contributed significantly to developing the Baul philosophy; his work is generally seen as the refined continuation of classic Bauls like Fakir Lalon Shah. Beyond Baulism, Karim's multidisciplinary contribution to several sectors including Body theory, Sufism, Ma'rifa, and Revolutionary music has made him one of the enduring examples of Bangladeshi secular pluralism.
Early life
Karim was born on 15 February 1916 in Derai in Sunamganj, Sylhet. He took his initial lessons in Baul music and philosophy from Baul Rashid Uddin and Baul Shah Ibrahim Mastan Baksh. In 1957, Karim began living in Ujan Dhol, a village near his home, with his wife, Aftabunnesa Bibi, whom he adoringly called Sarala.Personal life
Contradicting the Baul tradition of lifelong celibacy, Shah Abdul Karim was married and had a son, Shah Nur Jalal, who followed in his footsteps in becoming a Baul himself.Despite finding fame as a musician, Karim took farming as his primary profession and was a farmer until his old age.
Karim died in Sylhet on 12 September 2009 due to respiratory problems.
Works
Karim wrote and composed over 1600 songs. The Bangla Academy has translated ten of his songs into the English language.Karim's songs are organised in six books:Aftab Sangeet Gano Sangeet Kalnir Dheu Dholmela Bhatir Chithi
- ''Kalnir Kooley''
Legacy
Karim's work had fallen out of mainstream until the early 2000s, when Habib Wahid released his debut album Krishno. The album was heavily influenced by Bangladeshi British musicians of Sylheti origin, such as Kaya; who were acquainted with Karim's music. Krishno introduced the Bangladeshi audience with their first taste of folk fusion and was an instant hit.Subsequently, several famous Bangladeshi artists, including Dolchut and Muza, sang their own renditions of Karim's songs.