Baul is one of the few widely
known and appreciated types of folk music in Bengal. Baul is not only a kind
of music, it is basically a Bengali religious sect. The members of the sect
are themselves called Bauls, and the songs they sing are named for them,
Baul-gAn (Baul songs). It has been suggested that, etymologically, the word
derives from Sanskrit word "Vatula" means "affected by the
wind disease, mad". On the other hand, it might be derived from
Sanskrit word "Vyakula" means "restless, disordered".
The Baul costume consists of a
half-dhoti and an alkhalla ( saffron robes). Another noticeable identifying
signs of Baul is their hair style. They don't cut their hair, so a manner
has been devised for coiling it neatly atop the head in a bun. They also
wear a kind of necklace made of beads formed from the stems of the basil
plant (tulsi).
Among the three B'sof Bengali
folk music - Baul, Bhaoyaiya and Bhatiyali- Baul is distinguished from the
others textually as religious music. The texts of bhatiyali and bhaiyaiya,
though they may concern of Radha and Krishna, are mainly about the problems
of love in separation or unrequited love. In Baul-gan, however, though songs
of similar nature occur, they are thought of as allegories on the state of
separation existing between the souls of men and the spiritual ground.
The instruments, extensively
used by the Bauls are Gopiyantro, khamak, dotara, ghungur, nupur and duggi.
Gopiyantro, often called "ektara" means one string and that is the
most popular instrument for a Baul singer. The ghungur or nupur are always
used in conjunction with gopiyantro or khamak. The baul singers also use
"dotara" ( two strings) as their paraphernalia. Kartal/mandira and
premjuri are used as the adjunct idiophones by the singers.
‘Moner katha jodi bujhte
pare, keno piriti karo na’ – it isn’t a sermon or an official
statement or even a famous one-liner. It is the first line of a typical
Bengali ‘Baul’ song. No discussion on Bengali folk culture would be
complete without giving due importance to the Baul tradition. No one exactly
knows how this tradition started, but that Baul song is very much a part and
parcel of Bengali folk tradition is something which is very difficult to
deny.
Baul singers are almost a
community by themselves. They may be Hindus or Muslims, but once they take
to Baul culture, they refer to themselves as a ‘Baul’ as if to signify
that they are a separate community by themselves dedicated to the spreading
of the message of peace, brotherhood and goodwill through their songs. The
dialect of the song is essentially local. Hence, if becomes a trifle
difficult for the urban folks to understand the nuances of the language. In
olden days, when sources of entertainment were scarce in rural Bengal, Baul
singers had a field day moving from village to village attired in saffron
clothes with an ‘ektara’ in their hand. No wonder Rabindranath said ‘Gramchhara
oi ranga matir path’. Baul singers narrated various folk tales,
mythological tales and contemporary problem through their songs. Since, they
sing in the language of the village folks, their song always have a ready
appeal. Most of the Baul singers earned their livelihood through singing
songs. Baul singers used to get not only cash money but also foodgrains and
other items as a ark of appreciation for their songs. As sources of
entertainment were scarce, they used to entertain people throughout the
year.
Tradition entails that Baul
singers should live like a community. They may own land or work as
agricultural labourer but their prime occupation would be the propagation of
Baul music. No matter whether a Baul is Hindu or a Muslim, they must stay
together and strive for the propagation of the song. Baul singers normally
have no religion. Most of them worship Makali, because, for them, Ma Kali is
a source of inspiration. One of the greatest Baul of all time Lalan Fakir,
was a Muslim. But he is known to posterity not as a Muslim, but as a Baul
whose songs still mesmerize many in this modern time. Baul singers, can till
date, be safely said, to be the most pure forms of non-communal human beings
on earth. Most of their song preaches love and universal brotherhood. Hence,
the high-pitched voice of a Baul singing with an ‘ektara’ in his hand is
the symbol of the spirit of Bengal.
by CandLE-Web
Services and is Copyright Protected ©