A tribute to folk music pioneer Halim Boyati will bring researchers, writers and Baul performers together at Dhaka University on 30 October, marking the 96th birth anniversary of the celebrated singer.
The Halim Boyati Memorial Festival 2026 will begin at 3pm at Pigeon Square in the university’s Teacher-Student Centre (TSC). The programme will include a discussion, a Baul music gathering and the launch of a commemorative book on the singer.
Writer and researcher Shafiqur Rahman Chowdhury, photographer Nasir Ali Mamun, writer and researcher Tapan Bagchi, and Saymon Zakaria will take part in the discussion. Boyati’s son, Nishane Halim, and his disciples Lal Mia Boyati and Nazrul Boyati will also share their memories of the singer.
Known as Shadhok Halim, he is regarded as a pioneer of Bichar Gaan. His collection of more than 5,000 songs is known as ‘Halim Sangeet’.
Halim Boyati began singing at the age of seven and composed songs on spiritual philosophy, religious practices and patriotism. He also took part in the Liberation War.
In recognition of his contribution to folk music, he received an honorary fellowship from Bangla Academy in 2001 and the Kabi Jasimuddin Researcher Gold Medal.
He died on 21 February 2007.
