Babu Kishan is in the process of writing his personal story of his long friend and friendship with Allen Ginsberg. He is the only Baul who developed a long friendship with Allen Ginsberg.
Of course this friendship has it roots in Babu Kishan's Grandfather 'Nabani Das Khyepa Baul'who was an Avadhuta that Ginsberg met on his trip to India in '1962' and whom he kept a personal and private connection all his life. You can see Babu Kishan's link on Allen Ginsbergs Page under links, miscellany. Babu and Allen are both poets and they were mystical friends.
"We also are indebted to the influence of Allen Ginsberg, who met Nabani Das in the early 1960s and wrote “Indian Journals” and never wavered from his spiritual path; to Albert B. Grossman who brought Nabani’s sons Purna and Luxman Das Baul with their group to the US in 1967 to record for Elektra Records and tour; "
Albert was the Music Producer of Bob Dylan. It was 'Allen Ginsberg' who contacted them to bring Nabani Das Khyapa Baul to America:
"Albert Bernard Grossman (May 21, 1926 – January 25, 1986) was an American entrepreneur and manager in the American folk music scene and rock and roll. He was famous as the manager of many of the most popular and successful performers of folk and folk-rock music, including Bob Dylan, Janis Joplin, Peter, Paul and Mary, the Band, Odetta, Gordon Lightfoot and Ian & Sylvia."
It should be noted that it was Allen Ginsberg who wanted to bring Nabani Das Khyepa Baul to America but he refused, thus he sent his two son's, Laxshman Das Baul and Purna Das Baul and their band.
This is the only Baul Poetry Allen Ginsberg wrote.
“Baul of Bengal, I sing for all, Blue Danube is my Jamuna, Hudson my Vrindavan, see me in Calcutta, Toronto and London, Hear my call Baul of Bengal, Same man many names, same player, many games, Love is magic to win at life, Hear my call O Baul of Bengal.”
Written by Allen Ginsberg in 1983,
as a gift to Babu Kishan '
Babukishan composed the music for the original in collaboration with Garth Hudson, Robbie Robertson, Levon Helm, (of The Band) Bob Dylan's Band in 1985 for the tour.
This is the one and only piece of Baul poetry Ginsberg wrote. Babu Kishan sang this on 40 city American tour with Bob Dylan and the Band.
Babu became great friends with The Band and jammed with them all the time.