Kinnar, Madhusudan (c 1813-1868) lyricist, singer and composer of dhapkirtan songs, better known as Madhukan. Madhusudan was born in the village of Ulusia in jessore district. He was very fond of music, especially of devotional songs, and, after a brief schooling, left to join a troupe of singers. His natural poetical talent flourished in this environment, enabling him to compose songs spontaneously.

Madhusudan was also attracted to classical music and moved to dhaka to take lessons in kheyal, tappa and thungri from Ustad Chhota Khan and Bara Khan. He then joined Radhamohan Baul's itinerant party of kirtan singers. Radhamohan, from Raikhadia in Jessore, taught Madhusudan kirtan songs.

Madhusudan blended the moods and tunes of the songs of Mohandas, Rupodas, Aghordas, Dwarikdas, with Shyama and baul songs as well as traditional kirtan songs and kheyal to create a new kind of kirtan which, in course of time, came to be known as dhapkirtan. Apart from dhap, he wrote other kinds of songs as well. After his death, collections of his songs were published under the titles of Akrur Sangbad, Kalankabhanjan, Mathur and Prabhas. He died at Krishnanagar while on his way to sing at Kasimbazar Palace. [Muhsin Hossain]