Activities
MAIN ACTIVITIES OF “THE BAUL OF BENGAL”
Eternal Quest
Baul Philosophy in undivided Bengal lays its existence for more than five hundred years and with emotional feeling for searching the Supreme God. With such idea and belief they have became the wandering minstrels; they offer their worship through songs and dances which have very little connection with natural pleasure , rather the music and dance are the source of achieving heavenly pleasure through the minds chosen man, it is a continuous pleasure for searching.
Divine Love
Bauls believe the only love for mankind can lead to the love for the Divine. The Baul culture spells the love for humanity- irrespective of caste, creed, faith and religion. It does not even count colour or custom. It is the love for all that leads to peace of mind and it has the power that helps to achieve the Blessings of The God or Supreme Power. Bauls, in their songs express the complex mysteries of life in simple words to touch the heart of common people and they singing with one–string instrument (ektaara) with such a masterly stroke that as if exempts the music from the soil of Bengal.
Baul Legacy
The Baul of Bengal is a registered Socio-Cultural organization and was established and registered in the year 1982 inspired by the famous Baul singer Padmashri Pandit BaulSamrat Purna Chandra Das and his wife, noted baul singer Late Manju Das. The organizations first president was distinguished poet and writer as well as a good administrator late Annada Shankar Roy, IAS. The second President was a noted educationist and author Dr.Roma Chowdhury followed by Padmashree Amitava Chowdhury (noted journalist, editor and writer) and in the year 1984 the Vice- Chancellor of Viswa Bharati Dr. Nemai Sadhan Basu.
Golden Advisory
The advisory board was illuminated by the present Hon’ble President of India Sri. Pranab Kumar Mukherjee, Ex-Central Minister, educationist and lawyer Dr. Pratap Ch. Chunder as well as other eminent personalities like Late Atulya Ghosh , Late Shankar Das Banerjee (ex-speaker of W.B.L. Assembly & Central Minister), Rabindra Research scholar Late Prabhat Mukhopadhyay and others. Till the period upto 2000 The Baul of Bengal had a golden period through the service for the common people and Bauls.
Cultural Preservation
“The Baul of Bengal” – feels that the city and town centric culture is gradually encroaching to crush the traditional folk cultural base. So the time has come to preserve the rich cultural heritage and move for the development of human values which are also gradually taking flight from the modern society resulting emergence of various vices to spoil the healthy social environment.
Music Therapy
Our present action plan is to preserve the rich culture of folk songs including Baul songs, through organizing various workshops on Baul songs and dance as well as other folk songs, to entertain mentally challenged boys and girls (now special children), elderly alone people, the patients at hospitals, correctional houses etc. through “Music Therapy” to which we are participating in various institutions like Manovikas Kendra, CINI ASHA, Ahead, Helpage India, Antara Village, Thakurpukur Cancer Hospital and many other places besides holding our Annual Function & Festival and activities for the welfare of Baul singers including other folk singers.
