Posts Tagged ‘bangla movie’

The West has Bob Dylan, Bengal has its Bauls. The Bauls are a minority sect of wandering mystic bards found in the Indian state of West Bengal and in the neighboring country of Bangladesh. Baul traditions are a mix of Hinduism in its many forms and Sufi Islam. Bauls are usually identified by their unique brand of attire and the instruments they use for their music.

The Bauls believe that God is hidden in a man’s heart and man has to find Him through his own efforts. Neither temple nor mosque nor any ritual nor priest can help him. The Bauls call God “Moner Manush” which literally means “the person in one’s heart”. Their views are liberal and many famous Baul composers have been Muslim. Lalon Fakir was one of the most famous among them.

The Baul songs are mostly solo performances strumming their “Ektara” (an instrument with a single string). There many be others accompanying the singer with other instruments like the khol (a type of drum), kartal (cymbal type instrument) and harmonium (an instrument like a keyboard), among others. The accompanists and the audience join the singer in singing the phrases of the song which are repetitive.

Purnadas Baul is among the Bauls living who have made it big. He travels all over the world for his performances. Other Bauls who are not so renowned can be found in village fairs, the fair held in the Kenduli village of Birbhum district of Bengal in January being the largest among them.