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Folk music
Get an insight into the local Baul folk song culture by joining a performance group.
Baul music represents a particular type of folk song, communicating elements from a spiritual world as a form of devotion and homage to the creator of the world. Baul music is an integral part of folk culture and tradition of Bangladesh. It is the expression of the totality of rural life and represents the emotional expression of rustic communities.
Transmitted orally, Baul songs are used by spiritual leaders to instruct disciples in Baul philosophy. Baul poetry, music, song, and dance are devoted to finding humankind’s relationship to God, and to achieving spiritual liberation. The poets and the lyricists from the local community usually compose Baul songs from their passion, which reflects their great empathy of joys and sorrows, woe and bliss, enthusiasm and harmony for the nature and peace of the soul.
Devotional Baul songs can be traced back to the fifteenth century when they first appeared in Bengali literature. Baul songs were officially inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2008.
Around Paharpur, local Baul musicians perform regularly and at cultural events. It’s also easy to arrange a private performance, if you’re visiting the area. The musicians encourage observers to join the performance and become part of the music, which is a very special experience.
Baul performances are arranged on an on-demand basis. A suggested donation of Tk 3000 is encouraged. The performance takes about 1 hour and the Baul musicians can perform either at the Paharpur site, the Paharpur Rest House, or at a Paharpur homestay.
Contact: Either the Paharpur Site and Museum Custodian, Mr. Tanveer or the English-speaking guide lecturer at the Paharpur Museum, Mr. Hasan. Phone: +880 1729-563944.
