Artist description Bishnudas Baul is one of the few survivors of an intellectual, devotional and musical movement which originated in 15th century Bengal. The Bauls are roaming musicians with a life style which outwardly resembles Raastafarians of the West Indies. Like the Raasta folk they have a weakness for music, dreadlocks and "ganja" ! The Bauls, however, are essentially Vaishnavites, being devotees of Radha-Krishna and Shree Chaitanya, although syncretism between Vaishnav and Shaiva (devotees of Shiva) and between Hindu and Muslim faiths is a common theme is Baul music. The lyrics of the music spans a wide spectrum from purely devotional to fiercely existential and critical. Over the years many Baul lineages have disappeared and many have merged with the middleclass mainstream giving up their essential itinerant lifestyle and diluting their world view. Bishnudas Baul is different. He still earns his living singing for alms. His style is traditional and he uses traditional instruments like the do-tara, khamak and bells. He is however equally at ease with anything which produces musical sounds - like a synthesizer!

Music Style Baul

Musical Influences Traditional

Artist History Bishnudas was born circa. 1950 in the village of Kalopur in Bongaon. He lost his father in infancy and was brought up by his mother. He developed an early taste for music and was initially groomed as a singer in traditional Bengali opera called "Yatra". His early training in this form of music was by Nagen Mondal who was the leader of a troupe of itenerant actors who regularly performed plays for a rural audience. Soon Bishnu wanted to leave the life of a roaming actor for a more spiritual endeavor. He left his home for the "ashram" of Sanatan Gosain of Birbhum whom he took for his guru or spiritual preceptor. Under the guidance of his guru, Bishnudas took the vow of poverty and begging for alms in exchange for songs. He returned home briefly to learn to play do-tara from Nagen Mondal and completely immersed himself in the unpredictable life of an ascetic. Meanwhile, his mother had attempted to settle him into domesticity by getting him married. It was after the death of his mother that Bishnudas felt the need to take up the responsiblity of his family and earn a living by singing in the city. Bishnudas stays in the village of Chandpara, (Post Office Dhakuria -Purba Para, Udaipalli, Thana Gaighata, district of North 24 Parganas in West Bengal, India).

Group Members Baul music is NOT an "ensemble" music. Any attempt at ornamentation destroys the emphasis on the lyrics. So Bishnudas accompanies himself on the do-tara and bells.

Instruments Do-tara (a small fretless plucked instrument like the Afghan rabab), Khamak (a plucked rhythm and drone) and Bells

Albums mp3.com CD: Bishnudas Baul Vol. 1,2 & 3

Location Kolkata, West Bengal - India

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