Friday 23 May 2014

My First Impression of Parvathi Baul

The truth of Tagore's lines 'Music transcends all languages' hit me as I sat entranced in the cool ambience of the lush lawns of Nehru Park, Delhi. There had been singers before her whose words I understood but they left me untouched... but here she was - Parvathi Baul - singing in Bengali which I had scarcely heard, and she stirred my blood. With her Baul instruments of duggie, ektara and nupur she sang and danced as though in a trance. She reminded me of Meera - eyes closed, oblivious to the world outside, long black hair braided and flowing. She seemed to be one with Krishna. Her devotion and song mesmerised and hypnotised.
I came back from the 'Bhakti Sangeet' - a bhakta of the highest order from her Saguna form transported to the Nirguna levels which I could feel inside with my senses closed.