Baul song and dance
AI-drafted · awaiting admin review
Wandering mystic minstrels of Bengal who sing of the divine within the human body and dance as they sing, playing the one-stringed ektara.
DevotionalWhere: West Bengal, especially Birbhum, Nadia and Bardhaman districtsOccasion: Village fairs such as the Joydev Kenduli mela in Birbhum and Poush Mela at Santiniketan, and everyday wandering
| Performed by | Baul men and women, singly or in small groups |
|---|---|
| Costume | Loose saffron or patched robes (alkhalla), often with long hair tied in a knot and bells on the ankles |
| Music and instruments | Ektara (one-stringed drone), dotara, khamak and small hand cymbals, with ankle bells |
How it is performed
- The Baul plays the ektara or dotara and sings a song about love for the ‘moner manush’, the person of the heart who lives within.
- As the song builds, the singer turns, sways and steps in a simple circular dance.
- Ankle bells and hand cymbals mark the rhythm while listeners clap along.
- Songs are passed down orally from guru to disciple; many are attributed to Lalon Fakir.
Significance
Bauls follow neither caste nor fixed scripture and draw on Vaishnava, Sufi and Tantric ideas. Rabindranath Tagore admired and collected their songs, which influenced his own music.