Nabani Das Baul & Rabindranath Tagore

https://bhavaproject.weebly.com/tagore--baul.html

BabuKishan.org

https://indiafolkheritageofbengal.weebly.com

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Preserving the Authentic Baul Legacy: The Work of Babu Kishan

For decades, Babu Kishan (Krishnendu Das Baul) has meticulously fulfilled the wishes of his grandparents, the legendary Nabani Das Khyapa Baul and Brajabala Dasi, by archiving the complete Baul tradition. These invaluable Baul Archives are now safely preserved and will be released incrementally when the time is right.

There is an urgent call to STOP the ongoing and pervasive trend of outsiders fundraising in the name of Baul. This practice is deemed deceitful, as authentic Baul has already been meticulously preserved and archived. Any new Baul singers or organizations soliciting donations for "preservation" are seen as exploiting the tradition for self-serving purposes. Individuals are urged to think twice before donating, as the essential work of preservation is complete. Babu Kishan, dissatisfied with the misrepresentation of his heritage, plans to address this issue publicly.

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The Sole Lineage of Vaishnava Baul

This singular lineage of Vaishnava Baul originates specifically in and around Ekachakra, Birbhum, Bengal. It is asserted as the one and only authentic lineage of Baul. This pioneering family brought Baul out of the villages of Bengal and introduced it to India and the world nearly a century ago, starting in the 1920s. At that time, Nabani Das Khyapa Baul was appointed a state singer for Bengal, performing before Jawaharlal Nehru's speeches across India. He played a vital role in the Indian Freedom Movement, uniting people through his powerful song and dance. Nabani was an adept Tantric Yogi and Avadhuta, his presence and voice imbued with immense spiritual power.

Nabani Das Khyapa Baul is considered the last authentic Baul, and his wife Brajabala, along with their children, are recognized as the last authentic practitioners of this tradition. Nabani passed away in 1969, with Babu Kishan by his side.

The preservation and archiving of Baul have been accomplished by Babu Kishan (Krishnendu Das Baul), who was raised by Nabani and Brajabala, and subsequently by Purna Das Baul and Manju Dasi. Babu Kishan provided a crucial platform and path for many new Baul singers. Since the archiving and preservation of the entire tradition were completed decades ago, there is no legitimate reason for outsiders to claim they are archiving Baul; the task is finished. The only remaining fundraising required is for translation into English and the publication of books in English.

For this lineage, Baul History is complete; there is no new "history or her-story" to be made. Baul has been archived, and in its authentic form, it is considered extinct today. Babu Kishan's forthcoming book will elaborate on this, clarifying why Baul history is complete and exposing the widespread cultural appropriation that has occurred over the years. This is exclusively the Das Baul and Dasi Lineage of Baul; no other lineage exists.

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The Profound Bond: Nabani Das Khyapa Baul and Rabindranath Tagore

Purna Das Baul, Nabani Das Khyapa Baul’s son, has shed light on his father's unique relationship with Rabindranath Tagore. Babu Kishan, as Nabani's eldest grandson, raised by Nabani and Brajabala from birth, recounts his father, Purna Das Baul, stating:

"Tagore was deeply spiritually oriented, though his thoughts on spiritualism were often scattered. To provide these thoughts with direction, Tagore sought out my father, Nabani Das Khyapa Baul. Tagore regarded my father as both a friend and a Guru, learning various philosophical discourses of Baul from him. He accepted my father as a Guru who could initiate him into Baul philosophy.

Their relationship oscillated between friendship and the reverence of a student for his Guru. Out of profound respect, Tagore bestowed upon my father the name 'Khyapa Baul.' My father, in jest, would respond, 'You call me Khyapa Baul, and I shall call you Robi Baul!'

Their bond was an exchange of philosophical and spiritual insights, which is why Tagore held my father, Nabani Das Khyapa Baul, in such high esteem. My father was a constant presence in the Tagore household. Whenever Tagore's thoughts even slightly deviated, he would call for Nabani Das Khyapa Baul."

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Protecting a Secret, Esoteric Tradition

Despite Baul being archived and preserved, this lineage is cautious about disseminating too much information publicly. This discretion stems from the pervasive issue of cultural appropriation and "riding on the coattails of this lineage." Baul is a secret, esoteric tradition. Followers of this lineage have observed outsiders not only mimicking their practices but also claiming their stories and history as their own.

People are actively misusing Baul, fabricating lineages, watering down, dumbing down, and systematically destroying its "Essence" and origins. While Babu Kishan initially encouraged new Baul singers, he has since witnessed them erase historical names and insert their own, inventing non-existent lineages. This is a significant global issue often unrecognized by those outside the Baul tradition. These "fake it 'til you make it Bauls" can be aggressive in their appropriation, employing theatrical tactics.

Rabindranath Tagore's deep connection with Baul is solely through Nabani Das Khyapa Baul. A Baul song written by Tagore and gifted to Nabani Das "Khyapa" was sung by Purna Chandra Das. The rights to this song now belong entirely to Nabani Das's descendants, and it is notably absent from Vishwabharati's official documents and Tagore's collected works ("Geetabitan" or "Rabindra Rachanabali"). Its authenticity is marked by Tagore's traditional addition of "Thakur Robi bole..." within the lyrics, a practice in Baul where authors embed their identity.

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The Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity and the "Khyappa" Essence

Rabindranath Tagore's profound statement from The Hibbert Lecture, Oxford, 1930, encapsulates the Baul spirit: "That is why, brother, I became a madcap Baul. No master I obey, nor injunctions, canons or custom. Now no men-made distinctions have any hold on me, and I revel only in the gladness of my own welling love. In love there's no separation, but commingling always. So I rejoice in song and dance with each and all."

Tagore's embrace of the Baul path began when Sri Nabani (Gosia) Das Khyappa Baul bestowed upon him the name Ravi (Robi) Baul. In return, Tagore named Nabani "Mirror of the Sky" and "Khyappa Baul." To this day, villagers in Birbhum revere Nabani Das Khyapa Baul as a legendary Tantric Vaishnava Baul Saint Avadhut.

The term Khyappa itself is profound: it signifies sat chit ananda, a state of high mysticism, full awareness, divine ecstatic love, wildness, freedom, bliss, divine consciousness, magic, and mystery—a connection to the divine at an elevated level. It is not a state that can be faked; it was a title reserved for an Avadhut, though today, many inappropriately claim it, just as they falsely claim the titles 'Baul' and 'Baul Guru'.

Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore, writer of the Indian, Bangladeshi, and Sri Lankan national anthems, held immense affection for Nabani. Nabani was the only Baul who inspired and associated with Tagore, acting as Tagore's sole Baul Guru. Tagore even commissioned his close friend, the renowned artist Ramkinkar Baij, to sculpt a statue in honor of his "Baul Guru," Nabani Das Baul, which stands at Visva-Bharati University in Shantiniketan. . Additionally, M.F. Hussain, another celebrated artist, created artwork of Nabani Das Baul, reflecting the widespread admiration for him among poets and authors of that era.

If discussing Baul and Tagore, the only authentic association is between Nabani Das Khyapa Baul and Rabindranath Tagore. This connection is well-documented, unlike the generic and false associations others attempt to forge.

This lineage, seen on the cover of Bob Dylan's album John Wesley Harding (1967), was instrumental in introducing Baul outside of India. They also participated in fundraising efforts with Ravi Shankar, The Beatles, and The Rolling Stones in London (1970, 1971, 1972, and 1975) for flood relief in Bangladesh. This family has always been honored at Tagore Centres globally due to Nabani's deep personal association with Tagore and recognized by the government and Prime Minister of Bangladesh as honored guests. Notably, Babu Kishan's mother, from Bangladesh, confirms there were no Bauls there during her time. Babu Kishan was also one of the first composers to set tunes to Lalon Fakir's poetry, which was previously un-tuned. Baul always incorporates both tune and a rich philosophy and sadhanas (practices), distinguishing them from mere poets.

Allen Ginsberg's sole connection was with this family; he was a close personal friend of Babu Kishan for decades. Ginsberg's Baul Guru was exclusively Nabani Das Khyapa Baul. Ginsberg, who met Nabani in 1962, primarily spoke of Nabani and never mentioned Lalon, whom he never met. Ginsberg was instrumental in bringing Purna Das Baul and Lakshman Das Baul to America after Nabani declined to travel.

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Cultural Misappropriation and the Essence of Baul

The current landscape is rife with massive assumptions, speculations, and false narratives about Baul, largely stemming from copy-pasting and fake stories online and in books. This continuous appropriation involves taking stories, removing names, and fabricating new ones. While this family has tirelessly preserved Baul across generations, outsiders now culturally misappropriate it.

There is only one Baul lineage, and it is this family that brought Baul's teachings throughout India and to the world. Baul originates from Birbhum, Bengal, and Nabani Das Khyapa Baul is the only Baul intrinsically linked with Tagore because he was Tagore's Baul Guru.

It is crucial to understand that genuine Baul is not learned from the internet or books, as most information online is inaccurate. This rich history is incomplete without acknowledging Nabani Das Khyapa Baul, who was Babu Kishan's Guru.

Nabani Das Khyapa Baul is the father of Purna Das Baul, whose Guru is SitaRam Das Omkarnath. Nabani Das Khyapa Baul is the grandfather and Guru to Babu Kishan (Krishnendu Das Baul).

The widespread knowledge of Baul today, including Purna Das Baul and particularly Babu Kishan, exists because this lineage actively brought it to the world. Babu Kishan orchestrated all the world tours, rekindled friendships with figures like Bob Dylan, and fostered a decades-long friendship with Allen Ginsberg, who first met Nabani in 1962 while Babu was a baby. Since the 1970s, Babu Kishan has dedicated his life to teaching about Baul at universities globally and performing on major stages, even while maintaining a renowned career as a Bollywood Indian Cinema music composer.

His grandfather and Guru, Nabani Das Khyapa Baul, held immense importance in his life. Nabani raised Babu until his passing, saving his life after he was born prematurely with crooked limbs and left to die by his birth parents, who later raised two other sons in Calcutta. Nabani initiated Babu into Tara Ma sadhana at Tarapith from birth, taking him as a baby to the burning grounds, praying to Tara Maa for his life. Nabani, himself an initiated Sadhaka by Bama Khepa, healed Babu's limbs through daily Ayurvedic massage and prayers. Nabani, a healer who transmuted the karma of thousands, possessed knowledge of alchemy and traditional herbs, collaborating with renowned Ayurvedic doctor Dr. Kali Goti. He manifested siddhis and had all contemporary Gurus, Saints, Siddhas, Yogis, Naths, Swamis, Sadhus, and Sadhakas bless baby Krishnendu. Babu frequented Tarapith with Nabani, learning Tantric and Baul sadhana and interacting with true Gurus and Tantrics. He experienced a world that no longer exists.

Nabani's samadhi occurred in 1969, when Babu Kishan was eight. Babu initially believed Nabani was his father. The loss of Nabani was the greatest sorrow for young Babu Kishan and the entire Baul community, as Nabani was an extraordinary genius. Babu Kishan was by his side during his samadhi.

Recalling his grandfather’s passing, KD Babukishan recounts: "Suddenly he reached out and gave me his hand; simultaneously, a huge thunder cracked as his whole body turned a blue-whitish, and an electric current shocked me and ran through my body. At the same time, the tulsi plant automatically fell over, and the Bhagavad Gita hit Boro Baba on his head; he was gone. He held my hand so tight, I felt an electric current run through my body; my third eye opened, I saw the universe. My Boro Baba had given me..."

In 1969, after Nabani's passing, Brajabala entrusted Babu to his birth parents, hoping he would receive an English education in Calcutta. Instead, they placed him in a Ramakrishna orphanage, despite him being their eldest son, already proficient in oral Sanskrit and Birbhum Bengali.

Tagore's relationship with Nabani is extensively documented through numerous famous photographs taken by Tagore himself, now held at the Royal British Museum in London. . This well-documented association stands in contrast to the generic, unverified claims of others. Tagore even commissioned Ramkinkar Baij to sculpt a statue of his "Baul Guru" Nabani Das Baul at Visva-Bharati University, which remains there today. M.F. Hussain also created artwork of Nabani Das Baul at Bolpur station, reflecting the immense admiration he garnered from poets and authors of his time. If teaching about Baul and Tagore, the only true association is with Nabani Das Khyapa Baul.

For those who cherish Rabindranath Tagore and Baul, respecting this lineage—the sole connection between Baul and Tagore—is essential. The global awareness of Baul today stems from the rigorous efforts of this lineage and a handful of books. Their dedication in bringing Baul out of the villages warrants respect, especially from those who teach the tradition. The Indian Government and Tagore's University actively sent this family to Tagore Societies worldwide.

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The True Baul: Beyond Superficiality

To the untrained eye and ear, merely wandering and singing does not make one a Baul. Rabindranath honored Nabani because he was an ecstatic mystic brimming with wisdom, admiring his poetry, melodies, and his profound depth in sadhana as a Tantric Yogi and Baul Avadhut. Tagore respected Nabani's ancient lineage, its richness, authentic cultural significance, and tradition of wisdom, along with the "energetic live wire shaktified pure ecstatic love" Nabani embodied.

Tagore appointed Nabani Das Baul as a Professor of Baul music and dance at Visva-Bharati University, which Tagore founded in Shantiniketan. Nabani was both the first and last Baul to teach at Visva-Bharati University. Among his students was Indira Gandhi, whose father, Jawaharlal Nehru, held immense respect for Nabani. During the peak of the Indian Independence movement in 1947, Nehru appointed Nabani a state singer. Nabani traveled across India with Nehru and his contingent, performing Baul and disseminating Nehru's political messages. Before this, no one outside Bengal had ever heard a Baul. Like the Pied Piper, Nabani's singing drew people from far and wide.

Like his grandfather, KD Babukishan also traveled with his parents around India as state singers for Indira Gandhi, with whom Babu's mother maintained a close friendship until her tragic death. They continued as state singers for Rajiv Gandhi until his assassination.

The Guru Shishya Parampara Sampradaya lineage defines KD Babukishan and his Guru Grandfather, Baul Saint Nabani Das Khyapa Baul. Bauls are Tantrics, Indian musicians skilled in the Tantra of Sound, Mystical Bards, Gurus, Pandits, and Acharyas, simply referred to as Baul.

Jawaharlal Nehru, India's first Prime Minister, understood, as Sri Chaitanya had five centuries earlier, that Bauls possessed the unique ability to unite people through their energetic shakti and ecstatic, charismatic chanting, singing, and dancing. Dry scholarship alone cannot awaken a movement. Sri Nityananda of Ekachakra, Birbhum, a Vaishnava Baul and ancestor of this lineage, predated Sri Chaitanya and taught his Baul tradition of kirtan, singing, and dancing to Sri Chaitanya. Sri Chaitanya subsequently initiated his Hari Krishna movement based on the ecstatic "Hari Krishna Hari Ram" singing and dancing style of the Vaishnava Bauls of Birbhum. Bauls would begin their day with the Hari Krishna chant as a spiritual wakeup call, announcing their presence and inviting villagers to learn about spiritual life.

Baul is a rare, ecstatic, super-charged, and sweet heart-opening devotional singing tradition. Baul Kirtan is imbued with ecstatic energy that softens even the hardest of hearts, bringing forth the rasa of ananda (bliss). They play a one-stringed, trance-inducing instrument called an ‘ektara’, also known as the ‘Gopi Chand’ or ‘Gopi Yantra,’ symbolizing peace and unity. Bauls also play instruments like the rare one or two-stringed ‘Gubgubi’, which Nabani himself named Ananada Lahari, meaning ‘waves of bliss’. Baul operates as a Guru Shishya Parampara Sampradaya. They are sadhus and belong to sadhu sanghas called Akharas. While there were once 22 such sanghas, only two remain, making them almost extinct.

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Combatting Misinformation and Cultural Distortion

Today, a significant amount of misinformation and misrepresentation surrounds the Bauls. This is propagated by a new generation of Baul singers, scholars, writers, documentary filmmakers, and even sources like Wikipedia. Gurus from other sects, including Osho, who wrote extensively on Bauls and was deeply inspired by Nabani Das Khyapa Baul, have often missed the core essence of these devotional people, repeating inaccuracies. Many fakes are distorting this beautiful tradition, dressing the part, and singing off-key, attempting to copy what cannot be replicated. True Baul is achieved only through rigorous sadhana.

These "fake Bauls" claim to be sadahakas to attract students, with some even falsely presenting themselves as sexual tantrics, as sex often sells. This long-standing issue attracts unaware foreigners seeking "sexual tantra" and Indians drawn by the allure of "sexual freedom" to Shantiniketan. Meanwhile, the true Bauls are nearly extinct, and the few who remain often live marginalized in poverty.

Bauls have been erroneously described as mad, fakirs, dervishes, aulas, Muslims, afflicted by the wind, illiterate, beggars, and folk singers; yet, they are none of these. Bauls were profound peacemakers, accepting all people. Understanding Bengal's history is crucial to comprehending Baul. During Islamic invasions, they welcomed Sufis, incorporating some Sufi techniques into their practice. When Buddhists faced challenges from Brahmins, Bauls provided them refuge and acceptance. Baul is a distinct sect based on Sanatan Dharma, with elements of Sufi and Buddhist practices.

Speculations about Baul origins in Persia, Uzbekistan, or Bangladesh are often rooted in narratives from Bangladesh, a Muslim-majority country. These claims are seen as cultural appropriation, used to raise substantial funds, ostensibly to preserve Baul as their "National heritage." However, the Baul tradition originated thousands of years ago and is indigenous to and exclusively from Birbhum, Bengal. There were no Bauls in Bangladesh, even when it was part of Bengal; they were not from the area now known as Bangladesh. Baul has always been grounded in Sanatan Dharma, the eternal dharma of India, as found in the Bhagavad Gita, Upanishads, Puranic, and Vedic wisdom. The absence of Bauls in Bangladesh prior to the 1970s is further corroborated by Babu Kishan's mother, Manju, whose family was well-known in that area before the formation of Bangladesh.

Baul is a tradition of Krishna and Kali kirtan. Kenduli, Birbhum, Bengal, is the home of the Joy Dev Baul Mela, celebrating Joy Dev, who composed the Gita Govinda about the divine love of Radha and Krishna. . The Poush Mela in Shantiniketan was initiated by Rabindranath Tagore in honor of Nabani Das Baul, to gather intellectuals, poets, and creative artists worldwide.

This narrative comes from the oral tradition of the oldest living Baul lineage, as told by Babukishan (Krishnendu Das Baul), a "Lineage Baul Guru" and the sole Baul Guru Scholar from within the tradition of the Vaishnava Bauls of Birbhum, Bengal. Babukishan has lectured globally for decades at university levels and performed Baul on major international stages since the 1970s.

Baul is not merely an ocean of devotion but also a profound wellspring of Indian Philosophy, Yoga, Tantra, Vedic, Puranic, and Upanishadic wisdom. The title 'Baul' denotes a Guru, Pandit, Acharya, an authority—they were the Shastra before books, oral storytellers, spiritual Bards, Bhakti Yogis, Masters of Nada Yoga, and Vayu Dharma. While an oral tradition, they were adept at reading Bengali and Sanskrit manuscripts and Shastra.

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Babu Kishan's Journey: A Life Dedicated to Baul

KD Babukishan was born in 1962 in Suri, Birbhum, West Bengal, into the immediate care of Nabani Das Khyapa Bauland his wife Brajabala Dasi. Though the birth son of Purna Das Baul and Manju Dasi, he was left shortly after birth to be raised by Sri Nabani, his Sadguru and grandfather. Nabani and Brajabala lovingly nurtured their tiny, premature grandson born with crooked limbs, who was not expected to survive. They named him Krishnendu (Krishna in Bengali). The stage name "Babukishan" was given to him by Hindi film director Mahesh Bhatt and writer Suraj Sanim.

Nabani, an adept Sadhaka at Tarapith, immediately took his sick grandson to Tara Maa after his birth, praying for his life. Ayurvedic medicine, prayers, and mantras were employed to heal baby Krishnendu, and his limbs were straightened through daily Ayurvedic massages from Nabani and Brajabala. Nabani was a renowned healer, known for healing thousands by transmuting their karma. He mastered the Tantra of alchemy and traditional herbs, maintaining a close friendship with the famed Ayurvedic doctor, Dr. Kali Goti, who also aided Babu's healing. Nabani manifested siddhis and arranged for all prominent Gurus, Saints, Siddhas, Yogis, Naths, Swamis, and Sadhus of the time to bless baby Krishnendu. Babu accompanied Nabani everywhere, regularly attending Tarapith and learning Tantric and Baul sadhanaalongside Gurus and Tantrics. He credits his life to Tara Maa and Kali Maa. The village Rakha Kali Maa temple, where he played, was adjacent to the Ratha Yatra Cart with Radha and Krishna, reflecting the village's multi-deity reverence. Babu experienced a world that no longer exists, perhaps a continuation of his past life's karma.

Nabani's samadhi in 1969 occurred when KD Babukishan was only eight years old. He believed Nabani was his father until he learned his real father was Nabani's eldest son, Purna Das Baul, who had raised two other sons in contemporary Calcutta, outside the Baul tradition. For many on a spiritual path, true family is often found in one's Guru. Babu was fortunate to have Nabani, who left him his spiritual spark. Losing Nabani was the greatest sorrow in little KD Babukishan's life and a profound loss for the entire Baul community, as Nabani was an extraordinary genius. Babu Kishan was by his side during his samadhi.

Upon his grandfather’s passing, KD Babukishan recounts: “Suddenly he reached out and gave me his hand; at the same instant, a huge thunder cracked as his whole body turned a blue-whitish, and an electric current shocked me and ran through my body. Concurrently, the tulsi plant automatically fell over, and the Bhagavad Gita struck Boro Baba on his head; he was gone. He held my hand so tight, I felt an electric current run through my body; my third eye opened, I saw the universe. My Boro Baba had given me..."

In 1969, after Nabani's passing, Brajabala entrusted Babu to his birth parents, hoping he would receive a formal education in English in Calcutta, as he was primarily an oral speaker of Sanskrit and Birbhum Bengali. However, despite being their eldest son, they sent him to a Ramakrishna orphanage.

Rabindranath Tagore's many famous photographs of Nabani Das Khyapa Baul, housed at the Royal British Museum in London, extensively document their well-known relationship. This historical association stands in stark contrast to the generic and fabricated claims made by others. Tagore even honored his "Baul Guru" Nabani Das Baul with a statue at Visva-Bharati University in Santiniketan, sculpted by the famed Ramkinkar Baij. M.F. Hussain, the great artist, also created artwork of Nabani Das Baul at Bolpur station, reflecting the widespread adoration he commanded among poets and authors of his era. Teaching about Baul and Tagore necessitates focusing solely on their singular association with Nabani Das Khyapa Baul.

For those who appreciate Rabindranath Tagore and Baul, respecting this Baul lineage—the only authentic link between Baul and Tagore—is paramount. The global awareness of Baul today stems from the arduous efforts of this lineage and a limited number of authentic books. The hard work this lineage undertook to bring Baul out of the villages, enabling global recognition, deserves profound respect, particularly from those who teach the tradition. The Indian Government, Tagore's University, and society actively sent this family to Tagore Societies worldwide.

Purna Das Baul on his father 'Nabani Das Khyapa Baul and Rabindranath Tagore'.

Babu Kishan aka Krishnendu Das Baul as the eldest Grandson  of Nabani's and raised by Nabani and Brajabala Dasi from birth! am eldest son of my father, Purna Das Baul who would say, 

"Tagore was very spiritually oriented. However, many of his thoughts on spiritualism were scattered. It was in order to bring these thoughts into a trajectory that Tagore required my father, Nabani Das Khyapa Baul. Tagore would look up to my father both as a friend and as a guru. My father taught him the various philosophical discourses of Baul. As such, Tagore had accepted my father as a guru who could initiate him into Baul philosophy.
At times, Tagore would see my father as a friend, at other times, as a guru. It was from a sense of deep respect Tagore had for my father that he gave him the name ‘Khyapa Baul.’ My father too had told him jokingly, “You call me Khyapa Baul and I shall call you Robi Baul!”

They had a relationship which was based on the exchange of philosophical and spiritual ideas. That is why Tagore had a specific regard for my father, Nabani Das Khyapa Baul. My father was a constant presence at the Tagore household.

Whenever Tagore would stray, even a bit, from the trajectory of his thoughts, he would call for Nabani Das Khyapa Baul. "

Purna Das Baul

Although Baul is ARCHIVED and Preserved we never like to give out too much information, exactly for the reason of Cultural Appropriation and the 'Riding on the Coat Tails of this Lineage' Baul is a secret esoteric tradition. Babu Kishan will do something and the followers do not just follow, they take and then say it is about them.

​People are now using Baul, making up lineages, watering down, dumbing down, and systematically destroying the "Essence of Baul" the origins in Baul. Babu Kishan is one of the main figures who Brought Baul out of India, he has always encouraged, NEW BAUL SINGERS, little did he know that they would turn around and take their names off of history or her-story and put their own, making up lineages that never existed. This is a huge issue in todays world and people outside of Baul do not have a clue.

They are the 'fake it til you make it Bauls' and some are aggressive in their appropriation, using theatrical techniques.

#socialmedia #news #indianheritage #baulhistory #theqint #bengal#calcutta #rabindranathtagore #ndtv #timesofkolkata #bobdylan#allenginsberg #purnadasbaul #babukishan #shantiniketan #anandbazar#patrika #aajkal #hindunewspaper #kolkata #india #zeenews #googlenews#amazon #google #birbhum #baul #historicalbaul #getitstraight

A Baul Song written by Rabindranath Tagore, and gifted to Nabani Das "Khyapa". Sung by Purna Chandra Das. The entire right of this song now belongs to the descendants of Nabani Das. This song is not available in any of Vishwabharati's documents.

​This song does not exist in "Geetabitan" or even "Rabindra Rachanabali" (The Entire Collected Works of Rabindranath Tagore). What is interesting in this song is the "bhuni" added by the poet.

​As a tradition, baul songs are always sung and picked up by others; it is is never "written". So the authors add a line in the song or poem, revealing their own identity, so that the his name can remain attached to his creation. Rabindranath followed the same tradition here and added the word "Thakur Robi bole...". I hope you will enjoy this.#socialmedia #news #indianheritage #baulhistory #theqint #bengal#calcutta #rabindranathtagore #ndtv #timesofkolkata #bobdylan#allenginsberg #purnadasbaul #babukishan #shantiniketan #anandbazar#patrika #aajkal #hindunewspaper #kolkata #india #zeenews #googlenews#amazon #google #birbhum #baul #historicalbaul #getitstraight

​The Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity

“That is why, brother, I became a madcap Baul. No master I obey, nor injunctions, canons or custom. Now no men-made distinctions have any hold on me, and I revel only in the gladness of my own welling love. In love there's no separation, but commingling always. So I rejoice in song and dance with each and all."
Rabindra Nath Tagore, The Hibbert Lecture, Oxford, 1930
​
Rabindranath Tagore became a Baul when the legendary Sri Nabani (Gosia) Das Khyappa Baul gave Tagore the name Ravi (Robi) Baul and in return Tagore gave Nabani (Noboni) the name Khyappa Baul and named him 'Mirror of the Sky'. To this very day villagers in Birbhum remember a legendary Tantric Vaishnav Baul Saint Avadhut named Nabani Das Khyappa Baul.

Nabani Das Khyappa Baul 1954 by British Photographer Richard Lannoy. 

Rabindranath Tagore became a Baul when the legendary Sri Nabani (Gosia) Das Khyappa Baul gave Tagore the name Ravi (Robi) Baul and in return Tagore gave Nabani (Noboni) the name Khyappa Baul and named him 'Mirror of the Sky'. To this very day villagers in Birbhum remember a legendary Tantric Vaishnav Baul Saint Avadhut named Nabani Das Khyappa Baul.

Rabindranath Tagore the great Bengali Noble prize winner for literature and the writer of the Indian, Bangladeshi, and Sri Lankan national anthems, loved Nabani and Nabani is the only Baul who inspired and associated with Tagore of course he was Tagore's one and only Baul Guru.

PHOTO:
BY RABINDRANATH TAGORE OF HIS (BAUL GURU)
'NABANI DAS KHYAPA BAUL'

​The only authentic Baul who inspired and influenced Tagore. They were best friends. If you are talking about Baul & Tagore and you are not talking about Nabani Das Khyapa Baul you do not know what you are talking about because Nabani was Tagore's only Baul Guru.

The only stories of Tagore and Baul are about Nabani Das Khyapa Baul and Tagore (period).
In the middle of no where you came and taking the stories but the names off the real stories replacing the names, taking the names making stories and I bet you do not even know the true stories, making new stories everyday, generation after generation this family has been preserving Baul, this is Cultural Misappropriation. Before there was internet this lineage, this family of Bauls were taking Baul to the world.

 There is only one lineage Baul and this is one and only family brought Baul throughout India and the world. Baul is from Birbhum Bengal and Nabani Das Khyapa Baul is the only Baul who had anything to do with Tagore, he was and is the only Baul who was involved with Tagore, Why? Because Nabani was Rabindranath Tagore Baul Guru.
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This family can be seen on the cover of Bob Dylan's album John Westley Harding in 1967 they brought Baul outside of India, they are associated with Dylan not others.

This family and only lineage fundraised along with Ravi Shankar and the Indian contingent in 1970, 71, 72 and 75 in London along with the Beatles and The Rolling Stones for the floods in Bangladesh. This family has always been honoured at Tagore Centres around the world because of Nabani's close personal association with Tagore. They have always been honoured guests in Bangladesh with the government and Prime Minister of Bangladesh. You should know Babu Kishan's mother is from Bangladesh and when she lived there,  ... there were no Baul's in Bangladesh. Babu Kishan was one of the first composers to put a tune to Lalon Fakir poetry before that he was a poet and there was no tune to his poetry. Baul always has a tune and a huge philosophy and sadhana's (practices). They are not just poets.

Allen Ginsberg is only friends with this family and a was a great personal friend or Babu Kishan's for decades, he had nothing to do with Lalon other than putting his name Lalon on a piece of poetry. Ginsberg's Baul Guru was only Nabani Das Khyappa Baul. (period) and it was Ginsberg who brought Purna Das Paul and Laxshman Das Baul to America because he wanted his Guru Nabani Das Baul but he would not. 

Huge assumptions or speculations and many false associations and fake writings have been made over the years just on copy and paste and the fake stories on the internet?

There are so many fake stories and wrong writings in Books and on the internet about Baul. Babu Kishan was a decades long friend of Ginsberg visiting him in New York every year for decades, Ginsbery wrote poetry about Nabani and that is all he wanted to talk about was Nabani he never ever mentioned Lalon, he never met Lalon had no clue?

Lalon Fakir (note the name fakir or shah is not Baul) was a great poet he was NOT a 'Baul' of course Tagore liked his poetry but he had no association.

Sri Nabani Das Khyapa Baul is the only Baul who initiated Tagore into Baul and gave him the name Ravi (Robi) Baul and Tagore gave Nabani the name "Mirror of the Sky" and "Khyapa Baul". He is the only Baul who taught and was a Professor of Baul song and dance at Vishva Bharati University, Tagore's University in Shantiniketan Birbhum India. Nabani was also, a teacher to Indira Gandhi that is why he became much admired by Nehru and sang at the opening of his speeches for the "Indian freedom Movement".

Tagore gave Nabani a place and land to stay and be with him all the time.

I surely hope you are NOT teaching Baul from the internet or books because most of what the internet says about Baul is wrong. This is a huge history there is no Tagore and stories about Baul without 'Nabani Das Khyapa Baul' and he is Babu Kishan's Guru but yet you are teaching about Baul?

Nabani Das Khyapa Baul is the father of Purna Das Baul whose Guru is SitaRam Das Omkarnath. Nabani Das Khyapa Baul is the Grandfather & Guru to Babu Kishan aka Krishnendu Das Baul who I know you know.

Nobody would know a thing about Baul Nabani him or his family including Purna Das Baul now 90 and especially Babu Kishan who organized all of the World Tours and made a reconnection with Bob Dylan became his friend and Allen Ginsberg who was only Babu Kishan's friend for decades after Nabani had met Allen Ginsberg in 1962 while Babu was a baby sitting on Nabani's lap.

 Babu Kishan has spent his life traveling around the world teaching at all Universities around the world on who and what Baul is from the 1970 through to now. He was a renowned Bollywood Indian Cinema music composer and always kept his tours up educating on Baul. 

 His Grandfather and GURU Nabani Das Khyapa Baul was of extreme importance in his life, he raised Babu until he passed away, he saved his life because he was not to live at birth as he had crooked limbs and was premature. Left to die while his parents went back to Calcutta and completely forgot about him while have to 2 sons who were completely raised in Calcutta.

Nabani  initiated Babu into Tara Ma sadhana at Tarapith from birth as Nabani too him as a baby praying to Tara Maa for his life at Tarapith at the burning grounds because Nabani was the only Baul who was an initiated Sadhak initiated by Bama Khepa among others.

When the 'fake it til you make it Bauls' came along they tried to emulate Nabani Style as Tara Ma sadhaka at the burning grounds. 

Unfortunately there are nNO Baul sahaka's that are real hanging out at Tarapith since the 1979's, most were hanging out to attract unsuspecting women or men, duping them as 'look at me I am a Tantric', as the hippy generation and cool Indian's wanting to know the secrets of Sexual Tantra had arrived. 

Western people now arrive as Tourist Neo Tantric's taking picture in the temple or burning grounds posting them on Fb to their 5000 friends pretending they are the Tantrics now, presenting as experts and people eat this up.

 Nabani would have been blow away, or just disappeared, his associates were the real thing doing sadhana at Tarapith, and their students but none of them exist anymore, the real is gone and if they are still there, you will never see them, they will not show themselves or look for you. Gone Gone so far away, it is secret wisdom not for fools or fakes.

Nothing is real anymore, so if someone 'a fake Baul, a tourist Baul, a Baul gathering people or a Baul collecting donations for an ashram they now call Akhara" presents as even knowledgeable you are being duped

It was Nabani and Nabani's wife Babu's Grandmother Brajabala Das who taught Babu oral Sanskrit and all the stories, he got very little from his father because he was no interested, all Purna Das Baul was interested in was becoming a famous singer and there is nothing wrong with that, Babu Kishan from 1970's on ward as a good talented son, wanting to be accepted by his new family worked as his music composer.

. Nabani gave Babu Kishan his birth name 'Krishnendu'  Krishna in Bengali, you can say he is the original Krishna Das as Krishna Das whom he has known for decades, told him in Vancouver, BC in 2009 when he was surprised he was here in Vancouver. 

Nabani and Brajabala are Babu Kishan's (his Bollywood name) first parents who he bonded with from birth. It was  in 1969 that Brajabala sent Babu went to live with his Birth parents who didn't know what to do with him, they sent the other 2 to good schools but sent Babu to a Ramakrishna orphange. 

Brajabala entrusted Babu to them, she thought it would be better that he was in Calcutta learning to go to school and read and write in English, as he was an oral Sanskrist and Birbhum Bengali speaker and had no writing skills yet. They sent Babu to an orphanage, their eldest son?

Tagore took many pictures of Nabani Das Khyapa Baul, these pictures are famous and are at the Royal British Museum in London his relationship with Tagore is well documented, this association is well documented. Yet, others are saying they are associated, making random generic associations that do not and did not exist. The watering down and reductionism is rampant regarding Baul

Tagore even had a statue made in honour of his "Baul Guru" Nabani Das Baul at Vishva Bharati University in Santiniketan created for Nabani Das Baul by the famed great friend of both Nabani and Tagore by RamKinkar Baj. This sculpture is still there today, and at the Bulpur station MF Hussain the great artist did art work of Nabani Das Baul, because he loved him as did millions of others, including all famed poets, authors during that time. Babu Kishan became friends of MF Hussain in his decades in Mumbai.

Really if you are going to teach about Baul and Tagore the only association was with Nabani Das Khyapa Baul.

​If you Love Rabindranath Tagore and Baul obviously you would respect the only connection between Baul and Tagore this lineage of Baul? 

The only way you know about Baul is through this lineage or a few books. The hard work this lineage did bringing Baul outside the village so you could know about Baul obviously there should be some respect especially if you are teaching Baul.

It was the Indian Government and Tagore's University and society who sent this family all over the world to all Tagore Societies around the world?

RABINDRANATH TAGORE COMMISSIONED RAM KINKAR BAJ TO SCULPT THIS STATUE OF NABANI DAS KYAPA BAUL, IT STANDS AT VISVA BHARTI UNIVERSITY IN SANTINIKETAN.

To the untrained eye and ear wandering and singing a song does not make one a Baul. Rabindranath honoured Nabani because he was an ecstatic mystic full of wisdom, he admired his poetry, his tune and his depth in sadhana as a Tantric Yogi and Baul Avadhut. Rabindranath respected Nabani's ancient lineage and its richness, authentic cultural significance and tradition of wisdom, along with the energetic live wire shaktified pure ecstatic love that Nabani embodied.
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Tagore appointed Nabani Das Baul as a Professor of Baul music and dance at the Tagore Vishva Bharti University that Tagore created in Shantineketan. Nabani is the first and last Baul to teach at Vishva Bharti University. One of Nabani's students was Indira Gandhi, her father Jawaharlal Nehru had the greatest respect for Nabani. The Indian Independence movement was in full swing.

In 1947 Nehru appointed Nabani a state singer, where Nabani along with Nehru and his contingent travelled all over India, playing for people, sharing the magic of Baul and Nehru's political messages. No one had ever heard a Baul before outside of Bengal. Nabani would sing and like the Pied Piper the people would come from far and wide.

#tagorebaul #baultagore #RabindranathTagoreandBaul
#AllenGinsbergandBaul #GinsbergandBaul #BobDylanandBaul#BaulandBobDylan #GinsbergandBabukishan #ginsbergandNabanidasKhyapabaul
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Kishan standing next to a statue of Rabindra Nath Tagore at
​The University of British Columbia, B.C. Canada

THE BAULS OF BIRBHUM ARTICLE

​VAISHNAVA BAULS OF BIRBHUM BENGAL

by Sandra Trishula Das December, 2015

Editor's Note: The following is an excerpt from a soon to be released book by Trishula, 'The Rasa Lila Mystics'. Sutra Journal is honored to include her story, which makes reference to not only the musical fame of the Bauls, but also the depth and integrity of their lineage and sadhana. Trishula is married to Babukishan, the protagonist of the story.


The Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity“That is why, brother, I became a madcap Baul. No master I obey, nor injunctions, canons or custom. Now no men-made distinctions have any hold on me, and I revel only in the gladness of my own welling love. In love there's no separation, but commingling always. So I rejoice in song and dance with each and all."
Rabindra Nath Tagore, The Hibbert Lecture, Oxford, 1930

Rabindranath Tagore became a Baul when the legendary Sri Nabani (Gosia) Das Khyappa Baul gave Tagore the name Ravi (Robi) Baul and in return Tagore gave Nabani (Noboni) the name Khyappa Baul and named him 'Mirror of the Sky'. To this very day villagers in Birbhum remember a legendary Tantric Vaishnav Baul Saint Avadhut named Nabani Das Khyappa Baul.
Nabani Das Khyappa Baul and his wife & Monar Manush (soul mate) Brajabala Dasi.

Khyappa means sat chit ananda, highly mystical, fully awake, aware, divine ecstatic love, wild, free bird, blissful, divine consciousness, magical, mysterious, out of body connected to the divine at a very high level, khyappa is not something that can be faked. It is not a name for everybody it was a name designated for a Avadhut, however, today everybody is calling themselves khyappa as many are calling themselves ‘Baul’ and ‘Baul Guru’.

Rabindranath Tagore the great Bengali Noble prize winner for literature and the writer of the Indian, Bangladeshi, and Sri Lankan national anthems, loved Nabani and Nabani is the only Baul who inspired and associated with Tagore.
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In 2005, UNESCO Declared the Baul Tradition a "Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity".

The Mirror of the sky, reflects my soul. O Baul of the road, O Baul of the heart, What keeps you tied, to the corner of the room. By Nabani Das KHYAPPA Baul.

To the untrained eye and ear wandering and singing a song does not make one a Baul. Rabindranath honoured Nabani because he was an ecstatic mystic full of wisdom, he admired his poetry, his tune and his depth in sadhana as a Tantric Yogi and Baul Avadhut. Rabindranath respected Nabani's ancient lineage and its richness, authentic cultural significance and tradition of wisdom, along with the energetic live wire shaktified pure ecstatic love that Nabani embodied.

Tagore appointed Nabani Das Baul as a Professor of Baul music and dance at the Tagore Vishva Bharti University that Tagore created in Shantineketan. Nabani is the first and last Baul to teach at Vishva Bharti University. One of Nabani's students was Indira Gandhi, her father Jawaharlal Nehru had the greatest respect for Nabani. The Indian Independence movement was in full swing. Nehru appointed Nabani a state singer in 1947, where Nabani along with Nehru and his contingent travelled all over India, playing for people, sharing the magic of Baul and Nehru's political messages.

Like his grandfather, KD Babukishan also traveled with his parents around India as state singers for Indira Gandhi, with whom Babu's mother was best friends with her until her tragic death. They also were state singers for Rajiv Gandhi until Rajiv's death.

Guru Shishya Parampara Sampradaya Lineage KD Babukishan and his Guru Grandfather Baul Saint Nabani Das Khyappa Baul. Bauls are Tantrics, Indian musicians who know the Tantra of Sound, Mystical Bards, Guru's, Pandits, Acharya's who are simply called Baul.

Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India, was wise enough to know what the scholar Sri Chaitanya had figured out 500 years before, that Bauls were able to draw people together through their energetic shakti and ecstatic charismatic chanting, singing and dancing. Dry scholarship and talking doesn't necessarily awaken people to a new movement. Sri Nitanyanda of Ekchakra Birbhum was a Vaishnava Baul and the ancestor of this lineage, he was elder to Sri Chaitanya. It was Nitanyanada who taught his Baul tradtion of kirtan, singing and dancing to Sri Chaitanya.

Sri Chaityana started his Hari Krishna movement based on the ecstatic 'Hari Krishna Hari Ram' singing and dancing of the Vaishnava Baul of Birbhum. The Bauls would start with the Hari Krishna chant early in the mornings as a wakeup call announcing their presence to the villagers of Bengal, inviting them to listen and learn about spiritual life.

Baul is a rare, esctatic, super charged and sweet heart-opening devotional singing and Baul Kirtan is full of ecstatic energy that turns even the hardest of hearts to honey, bringing the rasa of ananda (bliss) alive. They play a one stringed trance inducing instrument called an ‘ektara’ also called the ‘Gopi Chand’ or ‘Gopi Yantra’ which is the Bauls symbol of peace and unity for all. A Baul plays a variety of instruments including a rare one or two stringed instrument called a ‘Gubgubi’ which Nabnai himself named the Ananada Lahari meaning ‘waves of bliss’. Baul is a Guru Shishya Parampara Sampradaya, they are sadhu's and belong to sadhu sangha which are called Akaras. There used to be 22 such sanghas, now there are only 2, they are almost extinct.

There is a lot of misinformation about the Bauls today, misrepresentations abound among a new generation of Baul singers, scholars, writers, documentary film makers, information found on wikipedia, Gurus from other sects including Osho who wrote many books on the Bauls and was deeply inspired by Nabani Das Khyappa Baul. All of them have completely missed the point of who these sweet devotional people are. They repeat the same thing over and over and it is not accurate. Many fakes are changing this beautiful tradition, they dress the part, singing out of tune trying to copy what can not be copied. Baul is only achieved through sadhana. The fake Bauls say they are sadhakas to attract students, some say they are sexual tantrics as sex always sells. This has gone on for a long time. Unaware foreigners attracted by sexual tantra of the west, and Indians attracted by the dream of sexual freedom, flock to Shantineketan. Yet the real Bauls are now almost extinct, and those that still remain, live marginalized in poverty.

Bauls have been described as mad, fakir, dervish, aula, Muslim, afflicted by the wind, illiterate, beggars and folk singers, yet they are none of the above. Bauls were the biggest peacekeepers accepting all people. Understanding the history of Bengal is very important to understanding Baul. When Bengal was in strife under Islamic invasion they accepted Sufi into their fold, learning and adding some Sufi techniques in their practice. When Buddhists flowed into Bengal and were challenged by Brahamins, Bauls were the only people who gave them refuge and accepted them. Baul is a sect onto its own based on Sanatan Dharma with a sprinkle of Sufi and Buddhist practices.

Stories abound about Bauls being from Persia, Uzbeckistan or Bangladesh, but many of these speculations are coming out of Bangladesh which is a Muslim country. They have somehow appropriated Baul culture and use this as a way to raise huge amount of money, apparently in order to preserve Baul Tradition as their ‘National heritage’. Baul tradition was born thousands of years ago and is indigenous to and originates from Birbhum Bengal. There were no Bauls in Bangledesh, even when Bangaldesh was Bengal they were not from the place now called Bangladesh. Baul has always been based on Sanatan Dharma, the eternal dharma of India as found in the Bhagavad Gita, Upanishads, Puranic and Vedic wisdom. There were no Bauls in Bangladesh prior to the 1970's because Babu's mother Manju was a well know family in that area before it became Bangladesh.

Baul is a tradition of Krishna and Kali kirtan.
Kenduli Birbhum Bengal is the home of the Joy DEV Baul Mela. JOY Dev wrote the Gita Govinda about the love between Radha and Krishna. 1986 Photo by Babukishan of Kenduli at the Joy Dev Mela. The Pous Mela in Shantineketan was created by Rabindranath Tagore in honour of Nabani Das Baul to bring together intellectuals, poets, and creative artists from around the world.

This story comes from the oral tradition of the oldest living Baul lineage as told by Babukishan aka Krishnendu Das Baul, a ‘Lineage Baul Guru’ and the only Baul Guru Scholar from inside the tradition of the Vaishnava Bauls of Birbhum Bengal. Babukishan has lectured all over the world for decades at the University level and has done Baul preformances on some of the biggest stages in the world since the 1970's.

Baul is not only an ocean of devotion but is also, an ocean of Indian Philosophy, Yoga, Tantra, Vedic, Puranic, and Upanishad wisdom. The title 'Baul' implies one is a Guru, Pandit, Acharya, an authority, they were the Shastra before books, they are oral storytellers, spiritual Bards, Bhakti Yogi's, Masters of Nada Yoga, and Vayu Dharma. However, being an oral tradition did not mean they didn't read Bengali and Sanskrit manuscripts and Shastra.

KD Babukishan was born in 1962 in Suri Bhirbhum W Bengal into the lap of Nabani Das Khappa Baul and his wife Brajabala Dasi. KD Babukishan is the birth son of Purna Das Baul and Manju Dasi, however and for whatever reason he was left right after his birth to be raised by Sri Nabani, his Sad Guru and grandfather. Nabani and Brajabala raised their little grandson who was born premature with crooked limbs, it was thought he would die the next day. They named him Krishnendu (Krishna in Bengali). The name Babukishan was given to him by Mahesh Bhatt a Hindi film Director and Suraj Sanim one of the biggest Hindi film writers.

Nabani was an adept Sadhaka at Tarapith he took his sick tiny premature grandson with crooked limbs to Tara Maa right after he was born praying and begging for his life; Ayurvedic medicine, prayers and mantra were used to heal baby Krishnendu and his limbs were straightened through daily Ayurvedic massage given by Nabani and Brajabala Dasi. It should be noted that Nabani was a healer and he had healed thousands of people eveywhere he went, taking their karma and transmuting it.

Nabani knew the Tantra of alchemy and traditional herbs, he was a close friend of the famed Ayurvedic doctor and healer Dr. Kali Goti who also helped with healing Babu. Nabani was an adept at manifesting siddhi's, he knew all the Guru's, Saints, Siddhas, Yogis, Naths, Swamis, Sadhus, Sadhakas of the time and had them all give dharshan and blessings to his little baby Krishnendu. Babu went everywhere with Nabani and was a regular at Tarapith learning tantric and Baul sadhana. hanging out with the Gurus and Tantrics one could say he owes his life to Tara Maa and Kali Maa. The village Rakha Kali Maa temple where he played, was right beside the Ratha Yatra Cart with Radha and Krishna. The village favoured many gods. Babu saw and experienced a world that does not exist today, those times are gone. I specualate that perhaps this was Babu's karma and a continuation of his past life.

Nabani's samadhi was in 1969, when KD Babukishan was only 8 years old. He thought Nabani was his father, until he learned his real father was Nabani's eldest son Purna Das Baul who had since had two other sons that were raised outside Baul tradition, in contemporary Calcutta. Most people on a path would agree that our family is not who we are. Guru is our real family if we are lucky to have one, Babu was lucky to have Nabani who left him his spark. Losing Nabani was to be the greatest loss of little KD Babukishan's life and the greatest loss to the whole Baul community. Nabani was not an ordinary Baul he was an extraordinary genius. Babukishan was by his side when he went into samadhi.

On his grandfather’s passing, KD Babukishan recalls: “suddenly he reached out and gave me his hand at the same time a huge thunder cracked as his whole body turned a blue whitish and an electric current shocked me and ran through my body at the same time automatically the tulsi plant fell over and the Bhagavad Gita hit Boro Baba on his head, he was gone. He held my hand so tight I felt an electric current run through my body my third eye opened, I saw the universe my Boro Baba had given me what is called a Bramhma dharshan. I felt a huge force of power and light in my body, I couldn't break free of Boro Baba's grip.”


This is a section of the wall at the Joy Dev temple in Kendula.

The Joy Dev Baul Mela is held here the Vaishnava Bauls attend ever year to do puja to the great poet (kavi) Joy Dev. The bridge going across the Ajoy river is named Nabani Setu after Nabani Das Baul. The mela is completely different today, the Bauls have been marginalized and pushed out by the new kirtan singers. The Bauls honour Joy Deva and the love he had for his soul mate Padmavati because Bauls believe in Soul Mates as Radha and Krishna live and dance in their hearts, this is the real Rasa Lila dance. The temple wall is made from soil that has been burnt hundred of years ago. The Joy Dev Baul festival takes place every year on Markar Sanskranti when the Sun moves into Capricorn.

The Baul kirtan for Nabani went on for weeks, they chanted HARI KRISHNA HARI RAM for 8 days in a continuous flow, and then 6 more weeks taking breaks for some food and rest. Thousands of people came to pay their respects. Nabani was a famous father figure, Baul Guru of Birbhum, a state artist and the whole state of Birbhum was closed. He was burried in traditional Baul way, sitting in a padmasana.

Some time after his grandfather’s death, his Grandmother sent him to live in Calcutta with Purna Das Baul and Manju Dasi, his birth parents, as she felt he’d be better off there and that he needed to be educated. KD Babukishan's went from the highest energy and biggest love bliss to a material life in Calcutta and a family where he didn't fit in. He recalls how his mother Manju used to bribe him with cookies to call her Maa.

Those days were hard for a little boy, suddenly surrounded by strangers, in the strange city, and before long, they packed him off to Ramakrishna Mission, where he remained for the following twelve years. Living there was tough, but the Swami’s there respected the Bauls, and often told him the story how Ramakrishna loved the Bauls, and said many times how he wanted to be born a Baul in his next life.

The family sometimes let him stay with them and even travel with them, touring with his father. When he was nine, they went to London and Europe on his first of many overseas trips. They went to perform at the fundraiser for Bangladesh in 1971, 1972, and 1978. There was a big group of Indian musicians who played at Hyde Park at the concert sponsored by the Beatles and The Rolling Stones. That is where he first met and became lifelong friends with George Harrison and the Rolling Stones. Later in 1986, George Harrison along with Ravi Shankar helped him publish his 3rd book on Bauls, now out of print. During that trip they traveled to Mick Jaggers place in Nice, France and where his father recorded with them for the album Jai Bangla. Mick Jagger was their limousine driver, and drove them from the airport to his place, and in 2004 he returned the favour when The Rolling Stones performed in Mumbai.
Just as he was in the process of becoming a sanaysin, his father pulled him out of Ramakrishna Mission to work as his tour manager.
The easiest way to pronounce Baul is (Ba–oo-l). Bauls are known as 'wind catchers' , the Masters of Pranayama which they call Vayu Dharma. Baul comes from the words Vayu (air) and T'ula (to raise the vital air). Ba stands for Va in Bengali language. Bauls practice various yogic tantric techniques and their singing and mantric chanting. The aim of the Baul is God Realization & Self Realization in the human body, humanity is first and foremost to the Bauls – to be a good human, to realize God within this body temple.

Bauls are considered to be Sahaja which means natural and spontaneous. It implies natural on the spiritual level and on the mystical level of the miraculous. It means that easy natural state of living without planning, design, contriving, seeking, wanting, or striving for attention.

Bauls practice techniques similar to Daoist Qigong they are Masters of energy work and mysticism.

FAMOUS BAULSPurna Das Baul is the first famous Indian Vocalist to come to America. First arriving in 1967 on a tour from San Francisco to New York staying in Woodstock NY at Bob Dylan's home as guests of Sally and Albert B Grossman (Bob Dylans manager). The recorded music from that time is called 'Bauls at Big Pink'. Purna Das Baul and his brother the late Laxshman Das Baul who was a much loved Baul a Bob Marley of the Bauls appeared on the cover of Bob Dylan's Legendary album John Westly Harding, Bob Dylan was a super fan of Lakshman Das Baul. Sally Grossman has remained a loyal a very dear friend of the Bauls and Laxshman Das Baul since 1967. At 81 years of age Lashman Das Baul passed away in April 2015 ending a legendary period of Baul history.

Left - Lakshman Das Baul, Bob Dylan, Purna Das Baul, I don't know the fellow in the back.

The Bauls at Big Pink produced by Al Aronowitz the father of Rock Journalism and another beloved friend of Babu's who passed in 2004, Garth Hudson and Robbie Robertson of the Band 1967 / The photo of Nabani Das Khyappa Baul was taken by Rabindranath Tagore. The Bauls on this album are Purna Das Baul and Lakshman Das Baul

Baul Samarat (King of the Bauls) Purna Das Baul at 82 years old has recieved the highest awards as a vocalist in India including many President Awards, Padma Shri and a rare award from the JAGANATHA TEMPLE called 'Nada Brahma Award' which only 3 have received including the much celebrated Ravindra Jain and Lata Mangeshakar. This family of Vaishnava Bauls are celebrated at the Jaganatha Temple in Orissa they know they are ancestors of Nityananda, Jai Nitai.
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Allen Ginsberg's had always honoured Nabani Das Baul as his Guru who he first met him in the early 1960's while traveling in Bengal. Ginsberg became a very dear friend of KD Babukishan whom Babu visited every year in America from the 1980's until Ginsberg passed, they are both poets and have a love for Nabani Das Baul. Ginsberg is the one who insisted to Sally and Albert B Grossman (Bob Dylan's manager) to bring Nabani to America, however, in 1967 Nabani's health was failing and he sent his two son's Lakshman and Purna Das Baul.

Kshiti Mohan Sen was a well-known scholar of ancient and medieval India and close associate of Rabindranath Tagore served as the Vice Chancellor of Visva-Bharati University in Santineketan for years. Kshiti Mohan Shastri described Nabani Das Baul "the last real true Baul" he wrote a book on Baul and regarded Nabani as the greatest ocean of intelligence he was as a huge admirer of Nabani. Kriti Mohan Sastri is the Grandfather of Armarta Sen a Professor, Economist and Philosopher living in New York.

KD Babukishan walks between worlds in a true tantric form with one foot in the spiritual world and one foot firmly on earth, in the world but not of the world. He is a highly awarded Bollywood Indian Cinema Music Composer, Indian Music Producer, a Master of Indian Music, Classical, Folk, Bhajan, and Kirtan composing scores for 150 films, Film Designer, Film Maker, he has recorded and worked with the who is who of Indian music and Western music.

KD Babukisha was raised a Baul and spent 12 years as a Ramakrishna monk in Calcutta, BA in Indian Philosophy, MA of Indian Music from Calcutta University, Poet, the first Baul to be educated in the oral tradition and outside. A Sanskrit Scholar from the Oral Tradition, Sanskrit Education at the Masters level and because of his love of Sanskrit he spent countless years learning from Dr. Roma Chowdhri who was like a mother to Babu she was a legendary world renowned Bengali Sanskrit scholar who dedicated her whole life to Sanskrit.

Baukishan now lives in Vancouver Canada with me Trishula his Monar Manush wife and partner of almost ten years, traveling back and forth to India. Babu's life changed dramatically when he was in the 2004 Tsunami in Indonesia where he witnessed, tens of thousands of souls leaving Bhumi Maa all at once, one of Maa's biggest smashen grounds. He has lived through the 1971 war between Bengal and Bangladesh, he has lived through many many terrorist attacks in Mumbai and lived many lifetimes in this one lifetime. Babu's main cause has always been to preserve his Baul tradition and it has been proven a difficult task it seems that over many decades his dream, all of his time and energy have been thwarted by his Calcutta family and many other road blocks, but he never gives up.

"The way my braid is, that’s how it will stay.
I’ll get into the water, I’ll splash water around, but I won’t get my hair wet.
I’ll swim about this way, and that way.
I’ll dive into the water, and won’t listen to what people say.
I’ll enjoy myself but not suffer because of it.
Gosain Rasaraj says: “Listen, my friend , that beauty leaves me speechless".
I won’t be chaste; I won’t be unchaste.
I won’t leave my Lord".

Famous Baul song (poetry) by Rasaraj Gosai (Nabani Das Baul's elder brother)

RURAL INDIAN FOLK MUSIC OF BENGAL

Painting by Nandalal Bose of Nabani Das Khyapa Baulapprox - 1920 -1930
This is a really old painting by the famous Bengali artist 'Nadalal Bose' of Babu Kishan's Grandfather GURU - as you can see Nabani's style was 'Ektara Baya and Nupoor'! All who follow this style have followed Nabani Das Khyapa Baul because he is the creator of this style. :) 
Nabani Das Khyapa Baul. 


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nandalal_Bose

The statue below was commissioned by Rabindranath Tagore for "Ram Kinkar Baij' another famous Bengali Artist to create this stature of Nabani Das Khyapa Baul.

approx - 1920 -1930
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramkinkar_Baij

Nabani Das Khyapa Baul was a great friend with both artists and with Rabindranath Tagore.

---

Sculpture by Ram Kinkar Biaj of Nabani Das Khyapa Baul in Shantiniketan at Vishwa Bharati University - This sculpture was commissioned by Rabindranath Tagore. 1920 - 1930's 

Nabani Das Khyepa Baul, taken by Rabindra Nath Togore.

All writing is Copyright,
​written by Trishula Sandra Das
as told by Babu Kishan. 

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