Bangladesh Folk Festival 2017- Montreal

1st Bangladesh Folk Festival 2017- Montreal will launch an intimate and unplugged performance from Bengali sufi singer Baul Shafi Mondol and Canadian sufi world musician singer Prashant Michel. Shafi Mondol Shafi Mondol is admired as a leading voice in the Baul tradition, a nomadic group of wandering saint/singers combining Vaishnava Hinduism and Sufi Muslim poetry. Translating to “mad” or “possessed,” Bauls represent a tradition of devotional music dating back to the 10th century that transcends political and religious divisions. Shafi Mondol carries this tradition forward, having studied with Shadhon Mukherjee and promoted the works of 19th century Baul saint and singer Lalon Fakir. Currently Mondol is not just a great Lalon singer in Bangladesh but he represents great Lalon vocals in South Asia. Forging a progressive approach to the Baul tradition, Mondol frequently incorporates western instruments such as electric guitar and violin into his music. The result is a mesmerizing mix of the ancient and contemporary, augmenting his mystical lyrics with modern timbres. This performance, however, will emphasize more traditional, trance-inducing sounds such as the single-stringed ektara and the duggi, or kettle drum. Mondol’s contributions have helped the Baul tradition become globally recognized, most notably as a “Masterpiece of the Oral Heritage of Humanity” by UNESCO. When he is not touring internationally, Mondol runs the Bhabnagor Shongeet Ashram, teaching many prominent singers in Bangladesh. ————————————————— Understand the background of our event The National Bangladeshi-Canadian Council (NBCC) is a non-profit organization aiming to present the best of Bangladeshi traditional voices in the Baul and Sufi culture tradition and promote cultural heritage among Bangladeshi-Canadians living in Montreal and the broader Quebec multicultural audience. The Bangladesh Folk Festival 2017-Montreal includes performances of renowned Bangladesh Baul Sufi artists who live in Bangladesh, Canada, and other countries. “Lalon Night- Nuit de Lalon” is the theme of the first annual Bangladesh Folk Festival 2017-Montreal. It is a celebration of the uniqueness of our Bangladeshi spirituality, the vitality and resilience of our spirit and values. Bangladeshis in Montreal, their families, friends and the broader Canadian audience will have the opportunity to live the magic of our unique spiritual cultural expressions – from the invigorating musical rhythm of our traditional music to the amazing modern jazz and fusion interpretations of the iconic Bangladeshi Lalon musician Shafi Mondol with his mantra. An authentic folklore evening, featuring the renowned folk singer Prashant Michael John from Calgary will showcase the amazing vocal techniques of our authentic folk and Sufi singing. The Bauls of Bengal, the wandering singers bring us joy of unity and harmony even today. One of the main tenets of Baul cult is love for humanity irrespective of their caste and creed, faith, color and custom. Baul speaks of universal mysteries of life in simple understandable expressions as it touches the heart of the common man. A Baul singing and dancing in ecstasy with an Ektara represents the finest specimen of folk song of Bengal. They do not have conventional mode of worship, yet spiritualism is at the root of philosophy. What need, they say, have we of temples and churches when in this body of ours, the supreme spirit has his abode. The human body is for them the holy of holiest wherein the divine is intimately enshrined as the “Man of Heart”. Bangladesh is known to be home to some intriguing songwriters and spiritualists, mainly originating from the Kustia, Sylhet district. Such songs with a spiritual undertone are referred to as Baul songs. The most famous Baul singer was Lalon Shah (1772-1890), a spiritualist whose identity was very vague was considered the icon of religious tolerance. He wrote about the divisions created by organized religions and critiqued the concept of caste and ideas at the time about male superiority over women. A modern Baul singer is Shah Abdul Karim (1916-2009). He wrote very simple but philosophical songs about existential issues including the attachment between the body and soul. The Baul traditions do not age and they are transmitted from one generation to another. Sufi singers rely their lyrics and melodies on religion and faith. They are devoted to represent Sufi poetry in their compositions, which played a singular role in maintaining communal harmony in turbulent times in Bangladesh. Sufi music is in most of the regional languages and by the nobility of its pious feelings and rhythmic rendition, it has inspired the people to seek love and acceptance. Sufi singers influenced the people’s thoughts and sent a message of peace, love, fellowship, understanding and amity. Sufi singers have bestowed a remarkable legacy of communal harmony for posterity. A popular singer hailing from the mysticism of Sufi music is Radha Ramon Dutta (1833-1915), born in the rural village of Keshoppur, Jagannathpaur (Bangladesh). He was amongst the Sufi singers who wrote extensively about one’s relationship with God.