Baul Robi: An exploration of folk music-based melodies of Tagore

In association with Shahana, Tagore Centre for Indian Music and Culture

This event is presented on the 163^rd birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore (1861 –1941), the legendary Nobel laureate, poet, novelist, painter and composer, who has had far-reaching impact not only on Indian literature but on music as well. His spiritual approach and a natural connection with the divine is evident through all his creations; making him unique in the annals of world literature.

Tagore was deeply influenced by the folk music of Bengal, particularly the songs of bauls, the wandering minstrels. These songs are simple in their language and expressions but carry deep esoteric meanings about the futility of material existence and the need to lead a spiritual life.

Baul Robi is presented by Shahana Shilpi Sangha, the performing group of Shahana Tagore Centre for Indian Music and Culture. It is a multimedia exploration of music accompanied by visuals, illustrating how Tagore was inspired by the local traditions, that ultimately led to development of an idiom that was his own, both in terms of language and music. Songs selected for this presentation also include a few that were written for his esoteric plays. Musically, influence of renditions of bauls and boatmen is palpable with an undercurrent of some raga based melodies. In addition, the musical arrangements also reveal element of innovation based on choral format of singing, and the use of percussive instruments such as dotara, khol, manjira etc. highlight the folk flavour of Bengal.

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