The Bauls of Bengal

Abstract

This essay deals with the philosophy of the Bauls, the wandering minstrels of Bengal, whose expression is through song and dance. They believe in a society without caste or creed and are influenced by Hinduism, Tantric philosophy, the Sufi tradition as well as Buddhism. Both Hindu and Muslim Baulsacknowledge Sri Caitanya and poet Jayadeva as their preceptors. Their songs provide haunting glimpses of the village life around, images rooted in earthy reality where the Baulmakes no attempt to deny the sensual and the bodily in the search for the Supreme.

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