Jolchhobi

The dry pond at the Institute of Fine Arts, Dhaka University, is once again ready to hold the second 'Sadhu Sangho' on March 13. Arrangements are also towards the end for the big congregation of the practitioners of the folk music known as Baul music. Being organised by Jolchhobi Movie Factory, the assemblage invites Bauls from all over the country to join the festival and exchange Baul music, philosophies, views and learning of the Baul cult.
TThe term 'Baul' immediately connotes in one's mind to two things: Baul songs, and those who perform these songs and live a life apparently different from that of ordinary people. This life of Bauls is distinguished in its very philosophical base.

The Bauls are so called because, they are assumed to be afflicted with the 'wind disease'. This theory has gradually established the etymological emergence of the term 'Baul'. The word has references to Sanskrit vayu meaning 'air'--the inner flow of energy that gives life and harmony to all sentient beings, and the word betaal meaning 'mad' or out of rhythm. Combined, the two words give the idea of the 'wind disease'--suggesting wind-like restlessness. 'Baul' also has connection with words like the Sanskrit vyakul meaning 'restless', and the Arabic 'âuliyâ meaning 'saint' or holy man. For, the Bauls are traditionally thought to have found the God's image within the soul; or, it least, they go on searching for it.

Baul songs form one of the few widely known and appreciated genres of Bangla folk music. Baul music is distinguished from others textually as religious music. Although, like in many other types of folk music, Baul songs also have references to the mythical love relationship between Krishna and Radha, they are not mere love songs. On the contrary, these songs use the love theme only allegorically to suggest a higher level of bond between God and man. This spiritual and philosophical nature of the Baul music is what has made it very popular as well as superior as an artistic expression. Songs by all-time great Baul Lalon Shah are the golden example of this magnificent art.

The centre of the Baul doctrine of life and music lies in its secularism. The Bauls may be Hindu or Muslim by birth. But they deny to follow the traditional rituals and belief of the religions. They rather believe that it is the human body that is the abode of God, not the temple or the mosque. And they perform only one ritual in their search of God--dhyan or meditation, in which they ultimately discover the spiritual expression for the God-man relationship that comprise the themes of their songs.

Bauls traditionally live a life of the nomads or gypsies. They travel from place to place, delivering their learning among the mass in form of songs. And during this travel, they chiefly live by collecting alms from people for whom they sing Baul songs in return. This might seem somewhat unacceptable to some of us, but what makes this practice acceptable is that the Bauls never demand anything in particular and always refuse to take more than they do actually need. To shake off all unnecessary bonds of this earthly life is considered a 'must' by them.

'Sadhu Sangho' is a gathering where people meet the Bauls and listen to their songs and teachings. In the first Sadhu Sangho, held on March 1, 2001, just before the Dol Poornima, a great number of sadhus including Abdur Rab Shai, Humayun Sadhu, Abdul Karim Shai, Aklima Khatun, Monohar Shai, Shamsul Fakir and others gathered at the dry pond in the Fine Arts Institute premises. The event started at 6 pm in the evening and continued to 2 pm in the afternoon of the next day.

Sure, Jolchhobi deserves appreciation and encouragement for initiating such an endeavour to keep an old cultural tradition alive. The city is about to be echoed with Baul songs by no less than 20 Bauls along with their partners and disciples. Rab Fakir, who is also known as Gopal Sadhu, will, like before, take the principal responsibility of gathering the Bauls. And besides the live performances, recordings of the event on CDs, cassettes, videos and other media will be available for preservation and collection. Let us all participate in the responsibility of preserving our cultural heritage.
Courtesy :
Harun Ur Rashid, The Daily Star

Choturtha Matra (4D), Video/Tele film, 2002

story: Shahidul Zahir, script & direction: Nurul Alam Atique, created by: Jolchhobi Movie Factory, Produced by: Subtext Telecine Ltd.

Choturtha Matra won Meril Prothom Alo Critic Award for best script, best direction and best actor.