The fourth edition of “Poila Boithak,” hosted by 93.5 RED FM will honor the deep, enduring connection between Bengali New Year and Rabindranath Tagore and Bengal’s Baul. On April 22, 2023, at EZCC, the event intends to unite the top Bengali Baul and Bangladeshi Baul performers on a single stage. The festival will honor Bengal’s soul by showcasing a select street Baul to a wider audience and embracing the spontaneity and freedom of mystical poems and songs.

The greeting of Gurudev Tagore is essential to any Boishakh ceremony. Few people are aware that in 1930 while delivering the Hibbert Lecture, an annual series of non-sectarian lectures on theological topics organized by the Hibbert Trust, at Oxford University, Tagore himself acknowledged that Baul’s music and philosophy had had a significant influence on him. The poetic grace and melodic brilliance of Baul’s songs profoundly affected Tagore. Tagore was so profoundly impacted by the spiritual romanticism of Baul’s philosophy that he even adopted the name, Rabindra Baul. Later, in his play Phalguni, he even took on the part of a blind baul.

There are about two hundred Tagore songs written and composed in Baul style by Tagore. Some of them are Bhenge Mor Ghorer Chabi, Aakash Theke Khoslo Tara, Amar Mon Jokhon Jagli Na re, Ami kaan Pete Roi, PranChay Chokshu Na Chai, Megher Kole Rod Aseche, and others.

The event will be hosted by renowned RJs like RJ Nilam and RJ Niel.

The event’s theme is “Baul Beyond Borders”, and baul musicians Joler Gaan, Karthika Das Baul, and Fakira will spice it up with their soulful performances as they explore different styles of baul music. Additionally, the festival will have an experience zone with the best in ethnic foods, handicrafts, folk art, and fashion vendors, including mehendi and nail art, among other things.

Priyanka Dutta