Parvathy works on 1st baul archive

Kolkata: Parvathy Baul, who became the first female

baul

recipient of the Sangeet Natak Akademi award earlier this week, is on a mission.

The baul singer from Coochbehar, who divides her time between Bolpur and Thiruvananthapuram, is working on setting up the first baul archive in the world at her gurukul in Santiniketan. If all goes well, it should be functional in two years.

Parvathy was boarding a flight from Romania to India when she received news of her win. “I’m very happy... This award is a recognition of the work of my gurus — Sanatan Das Baul and Shoshanko Goshai. I see myself as a continuation of what they have taught me and their work. My father Birendranath, husband Ravi and collaborator Ram have contributed in my life,” the singer, who has mesmerised music lovers with songs like ‘Kichu din mone mone’ and ‘Ghiri ghiri ghiri nache’, said.

In the sleepy hamlet of Kamardanga, 12km from Santiniketan, she has set up the Sanatan Siddhashram where she teaches.

“In our oral tradition, it is said that human bodies are live archives. But, I feel a baul archive is needed to preserve our old manuscripts,” Parvathy said.

She spoke of how she had benefited immensely from old folk recordings she came across during her travels around the world. “But not everyone can do that. My baul archive will come to their aid,” Parvathy said.

“I also want to adopt village children to initiate them into the practice of yoga and music, set up an akhada for elderly bauls and a centre for holistic healing in the ‘kabiraji’ style,” she said.

Currently, she is using her earnings from performing across 50 countries to set up the archive. But government funding will certainly help.

Parvathy said a female baul practitioner needed to be “warrior” to succeed outside the community. “People can readily accept a male guru. A woman has to be extraordinary to succeed. That’s why so few female baul practitioners or composers get recognition,” she said.

But she is happy the scenario is slowly changing. What’s making her happier is a Parvathy Baul Sandhya has been organized in Coochbehar. “I am returning to my roots after 25 years. Most people there have watched my performances on TV or YouTube. This homecoming on June 30 is the completion of a cycle,” she said.