[Reader-list] First posting of Independent Fellowships Sarai/CSDS

[Averee Chaurey]

PROJECT: THE SONG OF THE BAUL

AVEREE CHAUREY

INITIAL POSTING


PERSONAL PROFILE

I have been associated with theatre since my college days. As I entered 
Jadavpur University at Kolkata for my graduation, I joined one of the 
foremost groups of Kolkata, Bohurupee. Known for stalwarts like Shombhu 
Mitra and Tripti Mitra,Bohurupee was at the frontline of  Bengali theatre. 
It was during the same time that I began my career as an announcer 
,newscaster and an actress  in TV serials and feature films.I completed my 
Masters in Comparative Literature from Jadavpur University in 1982 .

I left Kolkata to come toDelhi after marriage but continued to follow my 
passion,theatre.I have worked in many plays in English ,Hindi and Bengali 
with Habib Tanvir , Amal Allana,Rajendranath ,Feisal Alkazi  and Tripurari 
Sharma.Along with theatre, I was also active in newsreading assignments for 
Doordarshan and TVI . I was responsible for founding the Bengali theatre 
group ,Bikalpa .I worked a full time job with the Public Relations of 
Kribhco for 20 years but have now taken early retirement to follow my 
creative instincts.

PROJECT

My project entails an attempt to understand the performance tradition of the 
Bauls ,the singing minstrels of Bengal .Throughout history , Bauls have 
remained an enigma .As a performer myself,it has been a lifelong dream to 
know more about them . This project also tries to look into their deep 
rooted tradition and how they have transformed in this age of globalisation 
. Though their origins can be traced to Silaidaho , now in Bangladesh ,the 
Baul  tradition has thrived throughout Bengal since the 19th century .During 
the early decades of the twentieth century, especially since the 1920 s , 
Bengal ‘s leading intellectuals like Tagore and Kshitimohan Senshastri took 
up the Bauls’ cause to explore their culture and spiritual thought. Their 
songs are indicative of different concerns ,from patriotism to social 
problems and romantic love .It is the philosophy of the Bauls which has 
drawn me to start this project.

METHODS,MATERIALS & PROCESSES

The methods employed will be :
1.	Study of their music and the message they seek to give.
2.	Study of reference books on their lives and philosophy. (Some books have 
been procured and some will be borrowed from libraries like National 
Library,Kolkata,
Sahitya Akademi,Delhi,and Folk and Tribal Culture Centre,Department of 
Information and Culture,W.Bengal Government.
3.	Travelling to and personally interacting with the Bauls at various 
locations and fairs in West Bengal.Personal interaction will include taped 
interviews and photographs whenever possible.
4.	Drawing upon the resources of people like social historians etc. who have 
lived and interacted deeply with Bauls.

INITIAL FINDINGS

The Bauls live in a state of abject poverty,barring a few who have become 
famous through local patronage,television coverage and travel abroad .They 
earn their living through melas(fairs) and from begging for alms.Though 
traditionally nomadic,there are some who live in permanent settlement in a 
community.The west nup homes and some children of Bauls even go to school. 
However,they have their own social mores.

For a Baul,the concept of Radha and Krishna’s love is important .They do not 
worship any deity and Guru is the supreme for them.Their sadhana is 
through”woman’,their `sangini’ or wives.They hold women in high esteem which 
is obvious through their songs. The human body has an important place in the 
Baul tradition and philosophy. According to them,what is there in the 
universe is in the human body. (Jaha ache ei brahmande , tahai ache ei deho 
bhande ).For them ,it is a constant search of the man of the heart – Moner 
Manush.