Introduction to Baul Tradition – “Living Wisdom of Singing Saints”
The Baul songs are creations of musical expression combined with spirituality and yoga. It has been practiced and performed through generations since thousands of years, and continues even today. This living tradition of musical mystic practice is evolving every day through the contributions of contemporary Baul Sadhakas (Baul practitioners) of Bengal (Now Bangladesh and West Bengal). Baul is mainly an oral tradition, intrinsically connected to the practice of Yogis, Sufis and Mystics. The beauty of this tradition is that it washed away the boundaries of classification in music – every singer and musician adores these songs of great masters, being rendered on any occasion. It is a genre by itself - a living wisdom or spoken truth which serves the purpose of remembering, recognizing the flower of universal love which blossoms in everyone’s heart, devoid of caste, class or religion or any kind of human made boundaries. Baul music serves the purpose of music and poetry, where body is a vehicle to connect ourselves to the divine, to grow inside, and to nourish our thoughts with great courage and positivity. She still keeps the whole world inspiring, and more. We come together in this Festival to bring and spread more awareness about the Baul works. Baul festival imagines this get-together as a service to larger humanity. BAUL GYAN DARPAN :
The Retreat with songs, poems and Baul Sadhana
Underlying theme of the Baul Gyan Drapan or Retreat would be to help participants explore along with practising masters, the three essential facets of the Baul Tradition – ShabdaGaan , Songs and Poems / Body Practice DehaYog/ inner discipline AntarYog. Participants will learn to play Ektara (the essential one string instrument for Baul) in this workshop. The first Baul Retreat has taken place in December 2014 in Kerala, at Ekathara Kalari. The second one is planned in October 2015, in Pondicherry, and there would be many more to come. There will be an evening of Baul songs on the concluding day, which is open to all and all workshop participants are invited to join the evening of Baul Music. EKTARA FESTIVAL:
The Ektara festival was held since the year 2000 in different parts of Kerala, in Trivandrum we have collaborated with Alliance Francaise since the first year. The last time it took place on 12.12.12 at Villopilly Sanskruthi Bhavan Amphitheatre, Trivandrum and part of it was held at Ektara Kalari in Nedumangad. The collaboration took place between Alliance Francaise Trivandrum and Ektara Kalari. This event was well received by the people of Trivandrum and was largely attended. Ekathara Baul Sangeetha Kalari
Was founded by Shri Ravi Gopalan Nair and Smt Parvathy Baul in 1997. Ekathara Baul Sangeetha Kalari is based on the discipline of the Baul Akhara, and Traditional Kerala theatre practice space “Kalari”. The Ekathara Kalari has hosted Sadhaks from traditional knowledge of art, spirituality, theatre, puppetry, music and healing. The Kalari is open for few selected students who would like to go through a period of intense training in Baul Parampara. The Ekathara Kalari has created many Festivals, workshops, meetings and tours with contemporary masters from Traditions and Creations. Ektara Kalari has provided support for Baul Ashrams and Elderly Baul Gurus. Ektara Kalari has published books and CDs. This is the first time Ekthara Kalari with the support of her present students holding “Baul Gyan Darpan” or Baul retreat to spread the awareness about Baul parampara.
