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The Mystical Bauls of Bengal: Guardians of Spirituality and Social Change

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madeline-kosta
22 diapositives · 340 Views · Nov 06, 2014

This article delves into the rich tradition of the Bauls of Bengal, wandering minstrels who have historically conveyed profound spiritual insights and social critiques through their songs and stories. Often labeled as rebels against orthodox practices, the Bauls embrace a philosophy that emphasizes the divine within, transcending religious boundaries. Originating as far back as the 7th century, their oral tradition has influenced Bengali society and culture, inspiring significant figures like Rabindranath Tagore and social reformers. The Bauls exemplify a unique blend of spirituality and modernist ideals that challenge societal norms.

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  1. Mystics of the East: The Tradition of the BAULS - Shameek Ganguly (07010315)

  2. Introduction • Wandering ‘minstrels’ of Bengal • Narrated stories and sang songs of high spirituality and carried social messages to the masses • Mostly illiterate in nature but educated via their own oral tradition

  3. What’s so special of them?? • Rational outlook at a time when most of the world lingers in the dark ages • Modernist compositions • Critics to anti-social practices • Rich oral tradition • Influenced Bengal unto some sort of a Renaissance in the 19th and 20th centuries

  4. Structure of presentation

  5. Origin of Baul tradition • Word " Baul " refers to three terms: betul, " mad ", " out of rhythm "; vayu, " air ", or the inner flow of energy which gives life and harmony to all sentient beings; and âuliyâ, a term of Arabic origin, which means " holy man ".

  6. Origin of Baul tradition(contd) • Cultural analysts have traced back the “baul” tradition back as far as 7th century AD • Exact origin unknown since modern Baul compositions show influence of Sufism, Buddhist Tantrism, Vaishnav ideology, and more recently, even Christianiaty • Mostly in and around modern day Bengal and Bangladesh

  7. Social background and general get-up • Can come from a Hindu or a Muslim background ; in both cases, they are usually rebels against orthodox practices and social institutions. • Usually hail from backward classes • Are mostly abandoned children brought up by other Baul gurus. • Live together without marriage or wander from village to village or are married people

  8. Techniques used in Baul oratory *Highly modernist in nature * Use of imagism very distinct * Images mostly refer to everyday life’s concrete images *Witty and sometimes rhetorical in nature *Metaphysical in nature in some parts *Revolve around the main spiritual or social message it intends to deliver

  9. Message of the bauls The God Within – MONER MANUSH • No religion • No need for temples • No idol worship or sacrifices • Devotion lies in a commonplace life • Brotherhood • Harmony outside and within • Importance of free thought • Service to needy ushers mental peace • Easy acceptance of other cultures

  10. Janomo morono (Practice of Dying)O my heart! Do the practice of dying, shall bring freedomFrom the bondage of birth and deathBorn to die, die to be born again.Death, birth, nothing but endless suffering.Aa, O, Am, three Vedas situated in muladhara,Swadhishtana and manipuraThis fact, the master practitioner knows;He craves not after mundane mortal delights. - Paravathy Baul

  11. Amar Sonar Moina Pakhi আমার সোনার ময়না পাখিকোন দেশেতে গেলা উইড়া রেদিয়া মোরে ফাঁকি রেআমার সোনার ময়না পাখি ।।সোনা বরণ পাখিরে আমারকাজল বরণ আঁখিদিবানিশি মন চায়রেবাইন্ধা তরে রাখি রেআমার সোনার ময়না পাখি ।।

  12. Influence upon the society • Mocked and dismissed by society until early 20th century • Slowly led to social uprising in the Bengali society • Aroused people like Raja Ramohan Roy and Swami Vivekananda • Thus invoked the Bengali social revolution in the rising middle classes of Bengal • Influenced many poets such as Rabindranath Tagore and Kazi Nazrul Islam

  13. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and ISKON • An ascetic Vaishnava monk and social reformer in 16th century Bengal • One of the earliest known Bauls who attacked untouchability and castism • His legacy lives on in the form of the world renowned organisation, ISKON founded by his followers

  14. Rabindranath Tagore: Baul-der- Samrat • Tagore greatly influenced by Baul songs in his middle ages • Several compositions dedicated to the Baul school of thoughts • Geetanjali illustrates several such songs written in the form of Baul songs

  15. AmAr prANer mAnuSh Achhé prANétAi heri tAye sakol khAneAchhe shé nayōntArAy, Alōk-dhArAy, tAi nA hArAye--ogo tAi dekhi tAye JethAy sethAytAkA-i Ami Jé dik-pAnéThe man of my heart dwells inside me.Everywhere I behold, it's Him!In my every sight, in the sparkle of lightOh I can never lose Him --Here, there and everywhere,Wherever I turn, right in front is He! - Rabindranath Tagore

  16. “The Baul religion is completely based on one’s experience in the realization of the divine. It is the disciples feeling of longing for the Supreme and the resulting madness that demonstrates that he feels reunited with the Divine ” – Robert Menger (Renowned American cultural historian)

  17. Baul tradition and Occident literature Some Western literature on Bauls of Bengal: • The Bauls of Bengal , Robert Menger • The Music of the Bauls of Bengal, Charles Capwell (English musicologist) • Seeking Bauls of Bengal, Jeanne Openshaw, Professor of Literature, Edinburgh University • The Path of the Mystic Lover: Baul Songs of Passion and Ecstasy, Bhaskar Bhattacharyya, Nik Douglas, Penny Slinger ………………….. And so on.

  18. Place of the Bauls today • Baul tradition continues to live on in the hearts of Bengal and Bangladesh • Some contemporary Bauls are Purnadas Baul, Kheparam Baul, Parvathy Baul and many others • In 2005, the Baul tradition was included in the list of "Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity" by UNESCO • International concerts organized by NGO’s around the globe including UK, Europe and America

  19. Personal Views The Order Of Madness!!

  20. Bibliography • Wikipedia • South Asian Cultural society (SAC webpage) • Youtube • Purnadas Baul’s Webpage* • Khepa Das Baul’s Webpage* • Google Images • World Culture Encyclopaedia • Bauls of Bengal website * These websites are maintained by an NGO ‘Lokesh’

  21. Thank You