THE BAULS OF BENGAL

The Bauls, migrant musicians of Bengal, incarnate one of the oldest, most fascinating religious and artistic traditions of India.
Little known outside Bengal, looked down upon there, often from the lowest social strata, they were rediscovered by Rabindranath Tagore, India's greatest modern poet the Nobel laureate considered their lyrics among the peaks of Indian civilisation.


Subal Das Baul was born in 1934 in Nadia District, one of the traditional Visnhavite centres of Bengal.
Born into a family of Bauls and early left an orphan, he grew up as the child of the entire brotherhood, hence his surname.
He was a disciple of Bhava Pagla, "The Madman of God". In the realm of music Subal Das Baul is known above all as a singer.

Kalipoda Adhikary-Pakihi was born in 1957 in Nadia District.
He comes from a family of Bauls, and learned music, specfically the percussion instruments from his father.
His instruments are the khal, tabla and pakujai.

Nitya Gopal Das was born in 1963 at Bolpur (Birbhum) near the birthplace of the 12th century poet Joy Dev, still an inspiration to the Bauls.
He comes from a Baul family and, apart from being a singer, is a specialist in stringed instruments, particularly the dhotqra, komok and ananda lahari.