Parvati Baul: Taking Baul music to different places

When renowned folk singer and artist Parvati Baul took to the stage at New York’s Times Square in April – Nupur Anklets on her feet, Ektara And dug-dug Holding one in each hand and moving to the beats while singing ‘Kala Re…’ in praise of Krishna – the onlookers were spellbound. They may not know anything about the singer or her art, but Parvati knows how to captivate the crowd, whether it’s with a chant or a Q&A. It’s never a one-way dive into devotion; she takes the audience on a journey of spiritual awakening.

One of the most relevant and influential artists of folk music, Parvati has been a Baul performer for the past two decades. “Music flows inside me,” the 48-year-old said over a video call, days after the announcement of her biopic. Joyguruat the Cannes Film Market. Helmed by actor-director Soumyajit Majumdar, the project will be an India-US-UK-France co-production and will begin filming next year.

“There is a huge community devoted to Baul music in France as well as in other parts of the world, even more than in India,” says Majumder. The singer’s fascinating story has already created a lot of buzz, he says, adding that noted cinematographer Ravi Varman has been signed on for the project. The film promises to feature Parvati’s Baul music as well as other songs shot in India and abroad.

Parvati at a Baul concert. | Photo courtesy: Subhrajyoti Talapatra

a piece of heritage

A largely oral tradition of propagating mysticism, UNESCO calls Baul music “a masterpiece of humanity… and an intangible heritage.” This musical style has been in practice for centuries in the eastern part of the country.

Born in Fakira village in North Lakhimpur, Assam, Parvati was pursuing a degree in arts at Shantiniketan when she decided to follow the traditional and ancient path of Baul music, an art form that blends elements of Sufism and Vaishnavism. “I was immersed in alchemy; it was amazing,” she smiles. “Baul is transcendental.”

Parvathy hopes that through the film, people, especially the youth, will gain the ability to celebrate the little victories in life. She says the artiste loves the biopic genre. I am Vasantrao (2022), a Marathi film based on the life of classical musician Vasantrao Deshpande, is one of his favourite films of recent times.

An avid reader who leads the disciplined life of an artist and a “yogi”, Parvati emphasises the need for the younger generation to find hope in despair. “Music has the ability to take you to divinity. And for people who are glued to screens rather than nature, this can be really helpful and educative,” she says. But the singer acknowledges the role technology has played in keeping this distinctive folk music relevant today. Through online classes and workshops, she is connecting with those interested in learning about this traditional practice.

Adoption of philosophy

Parvati Baul with director Soumyajit Majumdar. , Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Majumdar first became interested in Parvati’s story when she came across an audiobook of Parvati while researching for her first feature film. Homecoming (2022). “I have been a huge fan of Baul music and philosophy, but it was through this book that I began to understand the power of meditation, and it also showed me the path as an artist,” he said over a phone call. He then began following his work and developed a script.

I ask Parvati what it takes to become a master of Baul music. “It takes years of practice. And I don’t just mean music and dance, but adopting the lifestyle and philosophy in such a way that it becomes second nature to you. I write and compose music because it flows from within me, and that is because I have completely immersed myself in the art,” she says, then sings her favourite song, ‘Kala Re’.

debasree.purkayastha@thehindu.co.in