Shah Abdul Karim

Baul Shah Abdul Karim (; 15 February 1916 – 12 September 2009) The Government of Bangladesh awarded him the Ekushey Padak, the country's second 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. 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.

Works Karim wrote and composed over 1600 songs.

Karim's songs are organised in six books: Aftab Sangeet (1948) Gano Sangeet (1957) Kalnir Dheu (1981) Dholmela (1990) Bhatir Chithi (1998) Kalnir Kooley (2001) Krishno introduced the Bangladeshi audience to 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.