The Interpretation of the Baul Songs and Poetry in Bengal

Volume 3 Issue 1 Winter Edition 2023

Abstract

Aim: Baul songs have oral traditions, similar to the renderings of the Bhaktikal poets in the Hindi belt. The Baul songs tradition took birth in erstwhile Bengal in particular, in the same period. These songs were sung by ordinary and poor people mainly before the rural public to make ends meet. However, their songs had a strong flavor of mysticism and devotion to God. Their poetry in the form of songs was dedicated to God and in that way, they resembled the Sufi tradition. Since not much work has been done by scholars in this field, it is aimed at deciphering the hidden nuances of these songs by explaining the substance of such Baul songs and poetry as a sample. Baul tradition has influenced great poets like Ravindra Nath Tagore. It deserves timely evaluation. Methodology and Approach: This study is primarily based on the compilation of these songs in book form by Deben Bhattacharya a few years ago. Only a sample of such songs has been chosen and interpreted to fathom the depth of the inherent poetic fervor in these songs. Outcome: The study is quite illuminating in the sense that the Baul tradition has strong indigenous roots, similar to other traditions prevalent in different parts of India. Baul songs are metaphysical and call for union with God. They exhort human beings to be in love with God single-mindedly. Their poetry is simple yet filled with metaphors. One has to be conversant with the local idioms and spiritual traditions to better understand their poetry. Conclusions and Suggestions: Baul songs are simple and melodious, sung on the tunes of single-stringed musical instruments. They provided entertainment to the common public living in rural Bengal. At the same time, the Baul singers conveyed the message of life's transitory nature and the need to be in communion with God. They advised the common man to refrain from materialistic yearnings too.