Uttam and Lakshan [Bapi] Das Baul, son of the well known Devdas Baul were visiting Aotearoa as part of the installation of the Holiwater project’s feature length documentary – a film inspired by the Baul tradition whilst threading together leading Indian visionaries and environmentalists to consider consciousness as a source of spiritual and scientific wisdom. Prayas hosted the Bauls of Bengal in an informal evening to give Aucklanders the opportunity to meet the Bauls and listen to their mesmerising music.
Baul music greatly influenced Rabindranath Tagore; he based many of his songs on this format. Interestingly, Baul tradition has also been influenced by Sufi tradition and music.
Prayas provided some local talent in Auckland to sing alongside the Bauls.