Today marks the 103rd birth anniversary of Baul Samrat Shah Abdul Karim. The legendary singer was awarded the Ekushey Padak in the year 2001 for his outstanding musical achievements. He also received Drouhee Kotha-Shahitayk Abdur Rouf Choudhury Award and many other awards. On the occasion of his death anniversary, different socio-cultural organisations arranged programmes across the country. Besides, television channels and radio stations of the country arranged special memorial programmes to mark the occasion.
Shah Abdul Karim is a pioneering figure in Bangla folk music. He was born in 1916 in Ujan Dhol village, Derai Thana, in Sunamganj District. Growing up with poverty and hardship, he started expressing his thoughts and emotions musically from very early age. Ektara, a traditional single string instrument has been his constant companion. However, poverty forced him to get into agricultural labour. As he was growing up, he received training on spiritual and baul music only from Shah Ibrahim Mastan Baksh. Mastan was from Sreepur Peer Mohol.
The folk maestro was barely literate. He also got his musical lessons from Ustad Karam Uddin and Rashid Uddin. Baul Shah authored about 1500 songs and some six books. The Bangla Academy translated 10 songs of him into English. Karim could have carved a niche in the hearts of millions by presenting some hit numbers like , "Jhil Mil Jhil Mil Korey", "Bonde Maya Lagaichhe", "Ashi Boley Gelo Bondhu", "Keno Piritee Barailarey Bondhu", "Gari Cholena Cholena", "Ami Koolhara Kolonkini", "Agey Ki Sundor Din Kataitham", "Ami Tomar Koler Gari", "Ailai Na Ailai Na", "Bosonto Batasey" and "Krishno Aila Radhar Kunje". Shah Abdul Karim died in 2009 in Sylhet.
