Using the simplest Banglahousehold musical instruments, Baul Shah Abdul Karim has taken Bangla folk music strides ahead.
His tunes have been represented, remixed, reverberated by many and thus every now and then we come across our King of folks creations.
He once told a famous musician from West Bengal that 'I have no issues with anyone presenting my songs with different or foreign music instrument, I only want them to have clear vocal, as the lyrics in my songs are the soul of it.'
For Baul Samrat, life was never easy. He lived a humble life, devoting his entire life to music. He was a true worshipper of folk culture and music, and true his minimal life aligned with the principles of folk culture.
Among his most celebrated songs are "Bonde Maya Lagaise", "Ashi Bole Gelo Bondhu", "Gari Cholena Cholena", "Ami Koolhara Kolonkini", and "Agey Ki Shundor Din Kataitham".
The folk legend composed over 500 songs during his lifetime.
In 2011, he was posthumously awared the Ekushey Padak for his priceless contribution to the folk culture of Bangladesh.
Shah Abdul Karim was born on February 15, 1916 in Derai, an upazila of Sunamganj.
The folk Samrat passed away on September 12, 2009 in Sylhet, succumbing to respiratory problems.
