Shah Abdul Karim, the creator of masterpiece songs like “Bonde Maya Lagaise”, “Keno Piritee Barailare Bandhu”, “Gari Cholena Cholena”, “Ami Kulhara Kalankini” and “Agey Ki Shundar Din Kataitam”, was born on 15 February 1916 at Derai Upazila in Sunamganj district. His childhood was mired with extreme poverty. Therefore, he did not get institutional education from any school or college.
As he was growing up, he received training on spiritual and Baul music from Shah Ibrahim Mastan Baksh.
Abdul Karim was a very popular musician in remote areas. Ektara, a traditional single-string musical instrument, had always been his companion.