A Bengali violinist is suing a British council for nearly half a million dollars after his name was written on an official festival program with a word meaning pubic hair.
Abdul Shahid claims he has suffered "immense ridicule, taunting and humiliation" since the mistake by Tower Hamlets council.
More than 85,000 copies of the program for the Baishakhi Mela Festival in London were circulated by the council last year.
The program featured a photo of Mr Shahid with the caption: "Bal Shahid".
Bal means pubic hair in Bengali.
Mr Shahid is now scared to leave his house and stays inside for fear of humiliation.
Prior to the misprint, he was a global performer — he played in America nine times and made regular appearances on Bengali TV.
"My name has been destroyed, it's a disaster. Everybody in the community knows me," Mr Shahid said.
"When I go outside, everyone who knows me and my family are like 'woo, woo, woo', making fun of me. They say 'Bal, Bal' and I am ashamed."
As soon as the program was printed, Bengali speakers from within the council raised the alarm but printing was not stopped.
Mr Shahid is claiming the council "demonstrated a callous contempt" for his "dignity, reputation and feelings".
The council is defending the claims.
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