Gorbhanga -The Land of the Baul Fakirs

Gorbhanga village in Nadia district, West Bengal is the home of more than 100 Fakirs – makers of soulful mellifluous music. 

           Gorbhanga, Nadia : The Land of the Baul Fakirs

The Bauls are minstrels whose song and dance reflect the joy, love and longing for mystical union with the Divine. The Bauls believe that one can free oneself from earthly attachments through their philosophy.  Murshid or Guru is the steersman who takes the devotee to God; respecting, following the path and total belief in Murshid does not have any other alternative. They propound detachment from earthly bonds or ties. They reject division of caste, creed, religion etc. Baul music has  different doctrines forming the basis of the songs. The theories which inspired the Baul philosophy are Atmatattwa, Dehatattwa, Gurutattwa, Paramtattwa, Prem, Bhaktitattwa, Sadhantattwa, Nabitattwa, Gourtattwa, Srishtitattwa. 

Akhra in full swing at the Fakiri Utsav

Gorbhanga village in Nadia district, West Bengal is the home of more than 100 Fakirs-makers of soulful mellifluous music. Every third weekend of January, the village Gorbhanga transforms to a Mecca for Baul, Fakiri & Qawwali music as it hosts the Fakiri Utsav. Here visitors can get immersed in soulful Baul & Fakiri songs and can experience tranquility, simplicity and warm hospitality of the villagers. The festival celebrates the Baul philosophy of the quest for the Divine through love for humanity. 

Be at Gorbhanga to live the Baul experience. Next festival date is on November 18-20, 2016.

  Musicians from Wales jamming with Gorbhanga artists at Fakiri Utsav