Duddu Shah

Duddu Shah was a Bengali mystic, follower of Lalon and a baul.[1][2]

Biography

Shah was born with the name Dabiruddin Mandal in 1841 in Beltala, Harinakunda Upazila, Jhenaidah District, Bengal Presidency, British India. He changed his name to Daddu Shah after being inspired by Lalon. He sometimes referred to himself as Duddu Mallik Biswas. His father Jharu Mandal was a farmer. He studied at Srinath Pathshala (school) in Harishpur village. Shah knew Arabic, Bengali, Persian Language, and Sanskrit.[3]

Shah became a mystic through interactions with mystics. He became a disciple of Lalon and became part of his entourage.[3] He wrote secular humanism.[4]

Shah returned to Beltala near the end of his life. He became more focused on writing and devoted himself to religion. He wrote lyrics for Baul songs. He also wrote secular songs. He wrote two books, Lalon Charita, about the life of lalon, and Nur-e-Mohammadi, (translation:Light of Muhammad). Shah died in 1911.[3][5] He is buried in Beltala village in Jhenaidah District. His grave is in a decrepit state due to neglect and lack of maintenance.[6] A book, Baul Gaan ebong Duddu Shah, containing a collection of his work was compiled and edited by Burhanuddin Khan Jahangir.[7][8]

References

  1. ^ Śāha, Lālana (2017). City of Mirrors: Songs of Lalan Sai. Oxford University Press. p. 496. ISBN 978-0-19-068022-0.
  2. ^ Lorea, Carola (2016). Folklore, Religion and the Songs of a Bengali Madman: A Journey Between Performance and the Politics of Cultural Representation. BRILL. p. 43. ISBN 978-90-04-32471-8.
  3. ^ a b c Hussain, Mohsin. "Shah, Duddu". Banglapedia. Retrieved 13 May 2020.
  4. ^ Yabes, Leopoldo Y. (1982). Literature and Social Justice: Papers Presented to the Second Asian Writers Conference Held Under the Auspices of the Philippine Center of International P.E.N., Cultural Center of the Philippines, Manila, Philippines, December 14-17, 1981. Philippine Center of International P.E.N. p. 29.
  5. ^ Appadurai, Arjun; Korom, Frank J.; Mills, Margaret Ann; Mills, Margaret A. (1991). Gender, Genre, and Power in South Asian Expressive Traditions. University of Pennsylvania Press. p. 275. ISBN 978-0-8122-1337-9.
  6. ^ "A chronicle of Lalon disciple Duddu Shah". The Daily Star. 9 July 2010. Retrieved 13 May 2020.
  7. ^ "Borhanuddin Khan Jahangir: Epitome of versatility". Dhaka Tribune. 11 April 2020. Retrieved 13 May 2020.
  8. ^ Siddiqui, Ashraf; Haque, A. S. M. Zahurul (1964). "Folklore Research in East Pakistan". Asian Folklore Studies. 23 (2): 1–14. doi:10.2307/1177746. JSTOR 1177746.