Amar Gharero Chabi | Prasanta Das Baul | Baul Song | Bengali Folk | Gaan Fun | Vol. I

Fakir Lalon Shah (14 Oct 1772 - 17 Oct 1890) is regarded as an Icon and Pioneer of Baul Music and Philosophy. He did not believe in classes or castes, the fragmented, hierarchical society and took a stand against racism. Lalon played a socially transformative role in sub-continental Bhakti and Sufism and was greatly influenced by the Bhakti movement initiated by Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. He believed in the power of Music to alter the intellectual and emotional state, in order to be able to understand and appreciate Life itself. His songs reject any absolute standard of right and wrong and show the triviality of any attempt to divide people whether materially or spiritually. Lalon left no written copies of his songs, which were transmitted orally and only later transcribed by his followers. Also, most of his followers could not read or write either, so few of his songs are found in written form. Rabindranath Tagore published some of the Lalon songs in the monthly Prabasi magazine of Kolkata. “Amar Gharer Chabi” is a fine example of the use of ‘Deho-tava’ in the lyrics, wherein a ‘Ghar’ (House) is a metaphor for our Mind and ‘Chabi’ or the Keys represent Control over our minds. The song reminds us of the triviality of human life and mind as opposed to the omnipotent Unknown. It also encourages the listeners to introspect, in search of who we are and our purpose in this Life, suggesting the answers to these questions to be hidden treasures buried inside us. This song has been written and composed by Fakir Lalon Shah, as is evident from the lyrics - “Lalon bole, peye sei dhon, na payi chinite” meaning “Lalon says, even after having that treasure, I could not fathom.” This is a common way in Baul Music to label a song with the name of its creator. Lyrics: Fakir Lalon Shah Singer: Prasanta Das Baul Dotara: Basudeb Das Baul Dubki: Prasanta Das Baul Khamak: Brindaban Das Baul (Manik) Percussion: Brindaban Das Baul (Manik) Location: Prantik Ashram, Bolpur Produced by: FILM STOP Recorded & Mixed by: Sujoy Das Edited by: Sukanya Bhawal Bauls are a group of wandering mystical minstrels of Bengal. This community started with the largest Cultural Revolution in the history of human civilization, the Bhakti Movement led by Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Their syncretic traditions are the outcome of a culmination of Hinduism, Islam and Buddhism. Baul Music and Philosophy are deeply intertwined, with the Music serving as a medium for expressing and exploring our inner-self and the world around us, in search of the Divine. They also emphasise the importance of love, compassion, and tolerance, and reject distinctions based on caste, religion, or social status. Duality is a common theme in Baul song lyrics, with allegorical narratives using metaphors. ‘Deho-tatva’ – a recurring premise in Baul lyrics – is a concept of portraying nature and the universe through our bodies, which reflects the immortality of the cycle of life and death. It connects sex and spirituality – spiritual union of the individual with the Divine - to attain Moksha. #BaulSong #BengaliSong #FolkSong #Music #FolkMusic #BaulMusic #BengaliMusic #Singer #BaulSinger #BengaliSinger #FolkSinger #Artiste #BaulArtiste #BengaliArtiste #FolkArtiste #Performer #BaulPerformer #BengaliPerformer #FolkPerformer #Musician #BaulMusician #BengaliMusician #FolkMusician #DehoTatva #RadhaKrishna #BasudebDasBaul #RabiDasBaul #BrindabanDasBaul #Manik #PrasantaDasBaul #PathikDasBaul #SuvamoyDasBaul #BolpurAshram #GaanFun #FILMSTOP #SujoyDas