Stole The Hearts Of Many Gopis

"Not everyone is capable of appreciating Baul/ Fakir music. One has to be a trained listener in order to glean the finer philosophical nuances of these songs. Even the rhythm has a certain philosophical subtext which can only be perceived by a trained listener. If one perceives these finer meanings and nuances, only then will she/he be able to truly appreciate the song. Yet, he insisted that we perform, so people would be entertained. So, there was a programme, comprising of both Bauls and Fakirs...

Nitai Khyapa was the guru who taught me Baul music. The first guru who taught me how to sing was my grandfather. In this respect, my father is also my guru. During my travels, I have encountered many individuals; some were great men, some were performers. I learnt from each of them. In a way, all of them are my gurus. In the adult years of my life, when I had come to West Bengal, I met Manohar Khyapa of Jayadeva. He heard me singing and initiated me into his disciple-hood. I had gone with Nitai Khyapa to Jayadeva. I was entering into my manhood and not fully out of my adolescent years yet. A little stubble had begun growing on my face. Manohar Khyapa gave me some money for the bus fare and asked me to come to Jayadeva again the following year. He said he would initiate me into his disciple-hood. Manohar Khyapa thus became my guru in my grown-up years. I have not had any guru since. I don’t get time to visit all my gurus. I remember when I would go to visit Nitai Khyapa, I would carry ‘ganja’ for him and I would sing for alms on the way. Whatever rice I would be given, I would take for him. I would stay with him for some three days and then return. I would walk all the way to his abode at Betarbon in Burdwan. I would learn some new songs from him and practise some older songs which he had taught me earlier; these I would rehearse once back home.

Our household comprised of three members— me, my guru-ma (referring possibly to the wife of his guru) and my wife. Each of us would go out singing for alms. That was our livelihood. People would give us a handful of rice or muri as alms...

"Baul music originates with Lord Mahadeva. Once, while telling Parvati about Hari (Lord Krishna), he started speaking in a certain melody, and began playing his damaru. This is how Baul music originated. Mahadeva would tell Parvati about Hari, and he did so in the form of songs. It has been coming down to us. Some practise ‘sadhana’, others only sing."

-- Sanatan Das Thakur Baul was born at Khulna, Bangladesh. His family had embraced the Baul tradition for at least four previous generations, so the young Sanatan Baba was immersed in the culture of Baul dharma, song and dance from an early age. His initiatory guru in the tradition was Shri Badal Chand Goswami, who introduced him to the Baul sadhana or spiritual practice. Later, the great Shri Nitai Khyapa guided him through the Baul path. Baba’s journey took him to the divine Guru Shri Monohor Khepa, who gave him instruction in the intricacies of the Baul Sadhana and insight as a Sadhaka. Baba lived in a small ashram in Khoirboni, a village in the Bankura district of Bengal, with his wife, Mira Maa and an extended family. Many came to him for spiritual guidance in the Baul tradition. He traveled occasionally, communicating the love for and longing for the Beloved (Moner Manush, the Man of the Heart, in Baul tradition) through his music. Sanatan Baba was particularly appreciated for his attractive dancing which, like his singing, had more conscious artistry about it . his style created entirely new way for  the Baul songs and dance. He is one of the few Bauls who was occasionally asked to perform on All India Radio Calcutta. He traveled abroad and stole the hearts of many Gopis. He attained Mahasamadhi on Feb 28th at 3 am , 2016 at his Ashram in Khayerbuni.