Prof. Anwarul Karim, a legendary expert on Bauls in Bangladesh, is a dedicated teacher, researcher and prolific author, whose career spans for the last six decades. He developed a keen interest in researching on the ethnic communities of Bangladesh, spent several years among the Bauls in S, to know their life, living and culture as a participant observer.

The insight he gained through this experience helped him write a treatise on Bauls of Bangladesh. Bauls are a mysterious clan members which thrived in Bengal and its regional areas in the early 15^th century having a distinct and significant influence in the society and the culture of people in the area. Dr. Karim is also known as an authority on Lalon Shah, the most famous of the Baul clan. His works attracted attention of the anthropologists and he gained fame globally. He was invited to Harvard University, Divinity school to speak on Bauls and spent several months over there delivering lectures. On his return he compiled those lectures in book form and published it. Thus he turned from an expert in English language and literature to a brilliant anthropologist.

Shamanism as a concept is known to anthropologist and sociologist as a practice among prehistoric tribes when the magical powers of priests or religious heads were acknowledged by the tribal. It was thought that these people can call spirit and heal ailments. The ritual varies but the belief in the supernatural powers of them are found in all tribes and the tradition still lingers on.

Prof Karim has elaborated these practices in the context of Bangladesh and highlighted the various practices still existing including Bauls.

Bangladesh, where so many tribes still live with their cultures in different parts of the country, is a living museum for the anthropologists, their past simple way of living is trapped in some pockets coexisting with the modern society.

Prof. Karim’s book is a vivid description of the role, function and status of the folk life and folklore that still exercise lot of influence on the rural people. This book will unfold the untold story of the belief and practice of the people and clans and the influence of shamans over them.

I am sure the book will increase our knowledge on the subject and allow us to understand cultural variation among people and properly understand the evolution process of human civilization.

Professor Anwar Hossain, Ph.D.     

Vice Chancellor

Northern University Bangladesh