khartal'' and ''
manjira'', and the bamboo flute are also used. ''Ghungur'' and ''nupur'' are anklets with bells that ring while the person wearing them dances.
A Baul family played on stage in London for The Rolling Stones' Hyde Park concerts in 1971, '72 and '78 in front of thousands.
Influence on Rabindranath Tagore
![Baul Santiniketan](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f6/Baul_Santiniketan.jpg)
The songs of the Bauls and their lifestyle influenced a large part of Bengali culture, but nowhere did it leave its imprint more powerfully than on the work of
Rabindranath Tagore
Rabindranath Tagore (; bn, রবীন্দ্রনাথ ঠাকুর; 7 May 1861 – 7 August 1941) was a Bengali polymath who worked as a poet, writer, playwright, composer, philosopher, social reformer and painter. He resh ...
, who talked of Bauls in a number of speeches in Europe in the 1930s. An essay based on these was compiled into his English book ''
The Religion of Man
''The Religion of Man'' is a 1931 compilation of lectures by Rabindranath Tagore, edited by him and drawn largely from his Hibbert Lectures given at Oxford University in May 1930.''The Religion of Man'', preface by Rabindranath Tagore A Brahmo p ...
'':
The below quotations are from Tagore's book "''Creative Unity''".
The following is a translation of the famous Baul song by
Gagan Harkara: Ami kothai pabo tare, amar moner manush je re.
The below extract is a translation of another song:
A large tradition in medieval devotional poetry from Rajasthan and other parts of India also bear the same message of unity in celestial and romantic love and that divine love can be fulfilled only through its human beloved.
Tagore's own compositions were powerfully influenced by Baul ideology. His music also bears the stamp of many Baul tunes. Other Bengali poets, such as
Kazi Nazrul Islam
, pseudonym = bn, ধূমকেতু, Dhūmketu
, image = Nazrul.jpg
, image_size =
, caption = Nazrul in Chittagong, 1926
, birth_date = 11 ''Joiṣṭhyô'', 1306 '' Bônggabdô ...
, have also been influenced by Baul music and its message of non-sectarian devotion through love.
The following well-known ''
Rabindra Sangeet'' is heavily influenced by Baul theme:
All bāuls shared only one belief in common—that God is hidden within the heart of man and neither priest, prophet, nor the ritual of any organized religion will help one to find Him there. They felt that both temple and mosque block the path to truth; the search for God must be carried out individually and independently.
[Edward C. Dimock, Jr., "Rabindranath Tagore—'The Greatest of the Bāuls of Bengal,’" The Journal of Asian Studies (Ann Arbor, Mich.: Association for Asian Studies), vol. 19, no. 1 (Nov. 1959), 36–37.]
Present status
Bauls are found in the country of
Bangladesh
Bangladesh (}, ), officially the People's Republic of Bangladesh, is a country in South Asia. It is the eighth-most populous country in the world, with a population exceeding 165 million people in an area of . Bangladesh is among the mos ...
and the Indian state of
West Bengal
West Bengal (, Bengali: ''Poshchim Bongo'', , abbr. WB) is a state in the eastern portion of India. It is situated along the Bay of Bengal, along with a population of over 91 million inhabitants within an area of . West Bengal is the fou ...
and the eastern parts of
Bihar
Bihar (; ) is a state in eastern India. It is the 2nd largest state by population in 2019, 12th largest by area of , and 14th largest by GDP in 2021. Bihar borders Uttar Pradesh to its west, Nepal to the north, the northern part of West ...
and
Jharkhand
Jharkhand (; ; ) is a state in eastern India. The state shares its border with the states of West Bengal to the east, Chhattisgarh to the west, Uttar Pradesh to the northwest, Bihar to the north and Odisha to the south. It has an area of . I ...
. The Baul movement was at its peak in the 19th and early 20th centuries, but even today one comes across the occasional Baul with his ''
ektara
Ektara ( bn, একতারা, hi, एकतारा, ur, اِک تارا, ne, एकतारे, pa, ਇਕ ਤਾਰਾ, ta, எக்டரா; literally 'one-string', also called actara, iktar, ektar, yaktaro, gopichand, gopichant, ...
'' (one-stringed musical instrument) and begging bowl, singing across the far-flung villages of rural Bengal. Travelling in local trains and attending village fairs are good ways to encounter Bauls.
Bangladesh
![Tuntun_Baul_performing_in_2018](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5c/Tuntun_Baul_performing_in_2018.jpg)
Every year, in the month of
Falgun
Falgun or Phalgun (; ne, फाल्गुण) or Phagun ( as, ফাগুন) is the eleventh month of the year in the Bengali calendar, the Assamese calendar, and the Nepali calendar. In the revision of the Bengali calendar used in Banglades ...
(February to March), "Lalon Smaran Utshab" (Lalon memorial festival) is held in the shrine of Lalon in
Kushtia, Bangladesh, where bauls and devotees of Lalon from Bangladesh and overseas come to perform and highlight the mysticism of Lalon.
Palli Baul Samaj Unnayan Sangstha (PBSUS), a Bangladeshi organisation, has been working to uphold and preserve the 'baul' traditions and philosophy since 2000. The organisation often arranges programmes featuring folk songs for urban audiences.
Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy
Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy ( bn, শিল্পকলা একাডেমি; National Academy of Fine and Performing Arts) is the principal state-sponsored national cultural center of Bangladesh.
History
It is the national academy of f ...
often organises national and international festivals and seminars, featuring the Baul music and the importance of preservation of Baul tradition.
India
In the village of
Jaydev Kenduli
Jaydev Kenduli is a village and gram panchayat in Ilambazar community development block in Bolpur subdivision of Birbhum District in the Indian state of West Bengal. It is believed by many to be the birthplace of Jayadeva, an issue that is sti ...
in
Birbhum
Birbhum district () is an administrative unit in the Indian state of West Bengal. It is the northernmost district of Burdwan division—one of the five administrative divisions of West Bengal. The district headquarters is in Suri. Other impo ...
district of
West Bengal
West Bengal (, Bengali: ''Poshchim Bongo'', , abbr. WB) is a state in the eastern portion of India. It is situated along the Bay of Bengal, along with a population of over 91 million inhabitants within an area of . West Bengal is the fou ...
, a
Mela (fair) is organised in memory of the poet
Jayadeva on the occasion of
Makar Sankranti in the month of
Poush. So many Bauls assemble for the mela that it is also referred to as "Baul Fair".
In the village of
Shantiniketan
Santiniketan is a neighbourhood of Bolpur town in the Bolpur subdivision of Birbhum district in West Bengal, India, approximately 152 km north of Kolkata. It was established by Maharshi Devendranath Tagore, and later expanded by his s ...
in
West Bengal
West Bengal (, Bengali: ''Poshchim Bongo'', , abbr. WB) is a state in the eastern portion of India. It is situated along the Bay of Bengal, along with a population of over 91 million inhabitants within an area of . West Bengal is the fou ...
during
Poush Mela, numerous Bauls also come together to enthral people with their music.
Since 2006, an annual music show has been organised in
Kolkata
Kolkata (, or , ; also known as Calcutta , the official name until 2001) is the capital of the Indian state of West Bengal, on the eastern bank of the Hooghly River west of the border with Bangladesh. It is the primary business, comme ...
called "Baul Fakir Utsav". Bauls from several districts of Bengal as well as Bangladesh come to perform over a two-day period.
There are also the Western Bauls in America and Europe under the spiritual direction of
Lee Lozowick, a student of
Yogi Ramsuratkumar. Their music is quite different (rock /gospel/ blues) but the essence of the spiritual practices of the East is well maintained.
In Bangalore near Electronic City Dr. Shivshankar Bhattacharjee has started Boul Sammelon (Gathering of Baulls) on 7–9 April-2017 on the occasion of the inauguration of Sri Sri Kali Bari (Goodness Kali's Temple). First time it held in Bangalore to embrace the Boul culture. More that 50 Bouls participated and sang soulful songs.
Currently another version of Baul called the folk fusion also called baul rock is also greatly accepted by the audience, especially in West Bengal.
Kartik das baul being a traditional folk singer, who has taken baul to different heights is being associated with folk fusion. This type of baul was brought into the world of music by
Bolepur bluez.
Another popular Baul from West Bengal is Rina Das Baul from
Bolpur. She, along with her troupe named Rangamatir Baul, had performed in several international functions like Urkult Festival in
Sweden in 2017, Armor India festival in
France
France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans. Its metropolitan area ...
in 2018 and Womex in at
Porto, Portugal in 2021. Her music was reviewed by Simon Broughton in Songlines and, in 2019, American Grammy-nominated bluegrass Fiddler Casey Driessen collaborated with her on an album.
Notable singers
Lalon
Lalon ( bn, লালন; 14 October 1772 – 17 October 1890), also known as Lalon Shah, Lalon Fakir, Shahji and titled Fakir, Shah, was a prominent Bengali spiritual leader, philosopher, mystic poet and social reformer. Regarded as an icon of ...
also known as Fakir Lalon Shah, Lalon Shah, Lalon Fakir (Bengali: লালন; 17 October 1774 – 17 October 1890; Bengali: 1 Kartik 1179) was a prominent Bengali philosopher, Baul saint, mystic, songwriter, social reformer and thinker. Regarded as an icon of Bengali culture, he inspired and influenced many poets, social and religious thinkers including Rabindranath Tagore, Kazi Nazrul Islam, and Allen Ginsberg although he "rejected all distinctions of caste and creed". Widely celebrated as an epitome of religious tolerance, he was also accused of heresy during his lifetime and after his death. In his songs, Lalon envisioned a society where all religions and beliefs would stay in harmony. He founded the institute known as Lalon Akhrah in Cheuriya, about 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) from Kushtia railway station. His disciples dwell mostly in Bangladesh and West Bengal. Every year on the occasion of his death anniversary, thousands of his disciples and followers assemble at Lalon Akhrah, and pay homage to him through celebration and discussion of his songs and philosophy for three days.
Shah Abdul Karim (15 February 1916 – 12 September 2009) was a Bangladeshi Baul musician. Dubbed "Baul Samrat", he was awarded the Ekushey Padak in 2001 by the Government of Bangladesh. Some of his notable songs include Keno Piriti Baraila Re Bondhu, Murshid Dhono He Kemone Chinibo Tomare, Nao Banailo Banailo Re Kon Mestori, Ashi Bole Gelo Bondhu and Mon Mojale Ore Bawla Gaan. He referred to his compositions as Baul Gaan.
Bhaba Pagla (1902-1984) was a famous Indian saint-composer and an important guru from East Bengal. He has been a spiritual preceptor for many Bauls and his songs are very popular among Baul performers.
Gosto Gopal Das is the Uncrowned Emperor of Baul Song of Undivided Bengal(East & West) is Gosto Gopal Das until date was born on 8 January 1948 in Hoogly District in West Bengal, India.
Purna Das Baul or ''Puran Das Baul'',
popularly known as ''Purna Das Baul Samrat'', (born 18 March 1933) is an Indian musician and singer, in Baul tradition.
Dr.
Rajendra Prasad
Rajendra Prasad (3 December 1884 – 28 February 1963) was an Indian politician, lawyer, Indian independence activist, journalist & scholar who served as the first president of Republic of India from 1950 to 1962. He joined the Indian Nationa ...
, first President of the modern state of
India
India, officially the Republic of India (Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by area, the second-most populous country, and the most populous democracy in the world. Bounded by the Indian Ocean on the so ...
, acknowledged Purna Das as ''Baul Samrat'' in 1967. Purna Das has also appeared in numerous films, and was personally fêted by
Mick Jagger
Sir Michael Philip Jagger (born 26 July 1943) is an English singer and songwriter who has achieved international fame as the lead vocalist and one of the founder members of the rock band the Rolling Stones. His ongoing songwriting partnershi ...
in England, and by
Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan (legally Robert Dylan, born Robert Allen Zimmerman, May 24, 1941) is an American singer-songwriter. Often regarded as one of the greatest songwriters of all time, Dylan has been a major figure in popular culture during a career sp ...
who told Purna Das that he himself would be 'the Baul of America'. He appeared in the same concert with Dylan once, and is appearing on the cover of Dylan's album John Wesley Harding.
Lalon Band are Bengali folk, rock and fusion music band formed in
Khulna, Bangladesh. They draw heavy influence from
Fakir Lalon Shah
Lalon ( bn, লালন; 14 October 1772 – 17 October 1890), also known as Lalon Shah, Lalon Fakir, Shahji and titled Fakir, Shah, was a prominent Bengali spiritual leader, philosopher, mystic poet and social reformer. Regarded as an icon of ...
. They are lead by Nigar Sultana Sumi, one of the most renowned Baul singers in Bangladesh and West Bengal.
See also
*
Lalon
Lalon ( bn, লালন; 14 October 1772 – 17 October 1890), also known as Lalon Shah, Lalon Fakir, Shahji and titled Fakir, Shah, was a prominent Bengali spiritual leader, philosopher, mystic poet and social reformer. Regarded as an icon of ...
*
Music of Bangladesh
The music of Bangladesh spans a wide variety of styles. Bangladesh claims some of the most renowned singers, composers and producers in Asia. Music has served the purpose of documenting the lives of the people and was widely patronized by the rul ...
*
Parvathy Baul
Parvathy Baul is a Baul folk singer, musician and storyteller from Bengal and one of the leading Baul musicians in India. Trained under Baul gurus, Sanatan Das Baul, Shashanko Goshai Baul in Bengal, she has been performing both in India and ot ...
*
Bangla (band)
Notes
Bibliography
*Bhattacharya, Baskar The Path of the Mystic Lover: Baul Songs of Passion and Ecstasy Inner Traditions, 1983
* Enamul Haq, Muhammad (1975), ''A history of Sufism in Bengal'',
Asiatic Society
The Asiatic Society is a government of India organisation founded during the Company rule in India to enhance and further the cause of "Oriental research", in this case, research into India and the surrounding regions. It was founded by the p ...
, Dhaka.
* Qureshi, Mahmud Shah (1977), ''Poems Mystiques Bengalis''. Chants Bauls Unesco. Paris.
* Siddiqi, Ashraf (1977), ''Our Folklore Our Heritage'', Dhaka.
* Karim, Anwarul (1980), ''The Bauls of Bangladesh''.
Lalon
Lalon ( bn, লালন; 14 October 1772 – 17 October 1890), also known as Lalon Shah, Lalon Fakir, Shahji and titled Fakir, Shah, was a prominent Bengali spiritual leader, philosopher, mystic poet and social reformer. Regarded as an icon of ...
Academy,
Kushtia.
* Mukherjee, Prithwindra (1981), ''Chants Caryâ du bengali ancien'' (édition bilingue), Le Calligraphe, Paris.
* Mukherjee, Prithwindra (1985), ''Bâul, les Fous de l'Absolu'' (édition trilingue), Ministère de la Culture/ Findakly, Paris
* Capwell, Charles (1986), ''The Music of the Bauls of Bengal''.
Kent State University Press
Kent State University (KSU) is a public research university in Kent, Ohio. The university also includes seven regional campuses in Northeast Ohio and additional facilities in the region and internationally. Regional campuses are located in As ...
, USA 1986. .
* Dimock, Edward C. (1989), ''The Place of the Hidden Moon: Erotic Mysticism in the Vaisnava-Sahajiya Cult of Bengal'',
The University of Chicago Press
The University of Chicago Press is the largest and one of the oldest university presses in the United States. It is operated by the University of Chicago and publishes a wide variety of academic titles, including '' The Chicago Manual of Style'' ...
, Chicago. ,
* Bandyopadhyay, Pranab (1989), ''Bauls of Bengal''. Firma KLM Pvt, Ltd., Calcutta.
* Mcdaniel, June (1989), ''The Madness of the Saints''. Chicago.
* Sarkar, R. M. (1990), ''Bauls of Bengal''. New Delhi.
* Brahma, Tripti (1990), ''Lalon : His Melodies''. Calcutta.
* Gupta, Samir Das (2000), ''Songs of Lalon''. Sahitya Prakash, Dhaka.
* Karim, Anwarul (2001), ''Rabindranath O Banglar Baul'' (in Bengali), Dhaka.
*
*
* Capwell, Charles (2011), ''Sailing on the Sea of Love THE MUSIC OF THE BAULS OF BENGAL'', The University of Chicago Press, Chicago.
*
*
*
* Mukherjee, Prithwindra (2014), ''Le Spontané: chants Caryâ et Bâul'', Editions Almora, Paris.
References
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*
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External links
Baul Archive(archived). Dedicated to the memory o
Jr. who inspired generations of American and Bengali scholars with the poetry and philosophy of Baul songs. It is the culmination of
Sally Grossman's forty-plus year long interest in the Bauls and has been conceived, inspired, and generously supported by her with the advice and cooperation of Charles Capwell.
Lalon Song's ArchiveLalon Song's Archive
{{West Bengal
Religious syncretism in Asia
Mysticism
Hindu denominations
Hindu tantra
Bangladeshi music
Bengali music
Bangladeshi folk music
Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity
Bengali culture
Cultural heritage of India
Articles containing video clips
Music of Bengal
Indian styles of music