Soft and soulful vocals, accompanied by the rhythmic music of ektara (single-stringed instrument) and dubki (drum) were the highlights of the two-day programme titled, The World of The Bauls, recently held at IGNCA. The event that gave a glimpse into the world of the mystic minstrels of Bengal saw an exhibition, book launch, presentation, panel discussion and a baul satsang. While addressing the audience, politician Roopa Ganguly said, “Baul is not just a performing art, or just music, or just a form of entertainment, it is a way of life. They live, eat, drink and wake up in this mental state of mind. Baul jab gaana gaate hain toh unke sangeet swar se nahi aate, gale se nahi aate, unke badan se aate hain, poore badan se jhoomte hain woh.”
Also present for the event were Kathak exponent Shovana Narayan, Professor K Anil Kumar and noted theatre and broad cast personality Rama Pandey, among
several other culture aficionados, rasiks and researchers who have written, researched, travelled and lived with baul singers.
Also present for the event were Kathak exponent Shovana Narayan, Professor K Anil Kumar and noted theatre and broad cast personality Rama Pandey, among
several other culture aficionados, rasiks and researchers who have written, researched, travelled and lived with baul singers.
Rama Pandey, Shovana Narayan and Roopa Ganguly
Katyayani Agarwal, one of the organisers of the event, shared, “The baul practice encompasses all forms of spirituality bhakti, sadhana and yoga. Most people
think they just sing and dance but we wanted to tell the world about their deep philosophy and the sadhana that goes with their tradition. The idea was to give a glimpse into the world of baul singers and to show them beyond being performers.”