Marking the birth centenary of legendary bard Shah Abdul Karim, a two-day folk music festival featuring discussion and music performance was held at the Music and Dance Centre of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy Segun Bagicha in the city. Organised by Bhati Bangla Sangskritik Parishad, education minister Nurul Islam Nahid inaugurated the celebrations on Friday, where lawmaker Syeda Saira Mohsin, Sammilita Sangskritik Jote president Golam Kuddus, and Shah Abdul Karim’s son Shah Noor Jalal spoke about the life and works of Baul Samrat Shah Abdul Karim. Nurul Islam Nahid said about Shah Abdul Karim’s creations, “There is no doubt that musicians and researchers are increasingly interested in Shah Abdul Karim’s work”.
On the second day of the festival, state minister for finance MA Mannan informed that a multipurpose complex has been formed in the honour of Shah Abdul Karim at his birthplace in Sunamganj. He said, “The proposed complex will be of use to both researchers and the general tourists.”
As the part of celebration, cultural shows were held on both the days, where Shah Noor Jalal, Baul Alam Dewan, Baul Alauddin, Baul Sohel, Ashik, Reena, and Pranjit presented the Karim’s popular songs like ‘Bande Maya Lagaise’, ‘Age Ki Sundor’, ‘Tomra Kunja Sajao Go’, ‘Ami Ei Minoti Kori’ and ‘Moyurponkkhi Nao’.
Karim was born on February 15, 1916 at Ujan Dhol village in Derai upazila of Sunamganj district. 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.  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 September 12, 2009.