Baul Songs (In Quest of Universal Humanism)

About the Book Universalism affirms the ultimate salvation of all humans, Different religious views are treading different paths to reach the same goal ie. realizing the Supreme Truth It has been realized by our great spiritual that the essence of all religions is the same. Baul songs open the path of exploring the universal goal of mankind through their marvellous lyric and high philosophy of love and self-giving, harmony and mutuality, sweetness and light, peace and immorality.

Baul songs are the reflections of Baul religion and philosophy. These songs are the expressions of universal love, universal humanity and universal mankind. Oneness of humanity is the chief characteristic feature of Baul philosophy. Simplicity is the greatest treasure of their life. The Bauls call the Immanent Self as the maner manus, which can be extended to the furthest point, the 'ultimate Self. They believe that maner manus is present in every human being who is the 'Supreme Self", the Man of the Heart. Realization of this "Supreme Self" is religion itself. Thus the transcendent can be realized as the immanent in this human life. To Bauls, the human body is the epitome of the universe, where the "Supreme Self could be realized.

The book is specifically dealt with linguistic syncretism, religious syncretism and philosophical syncretism in Baul religion and philosophy and ultimately it shows that Baul religion and philosophy stand unique in realizing the universal Man in man. In fact, this study treads a path to a journey through life, searching for "The Man of the Heart".

About the Author Dr. Mausumi Majumdar (b. 1970), a talented vocalist, was awarded the degree, Ph.D in Linguistics from the University of Calcutta. She was attached to The Anthropological Survey of India for nine years as a Junior and Senior Research fellow. She also taught Linguistics in Govt. Sanskrit College, Kolkata.

Presently, she is working as a Research Fellow in The Asiatic Society, Kolkata. Dr. Majumdar is the authoress of the book entitled "The Essence of Music: A Linguistic Approach To Modern Bengali Songs". She has published numerous research papers.

As a follower of Ramakrishna- Aurobindo order, she searches for the 'Man of the Heart' in the soul of Indian spiritual life.

Foreword It affords me immense pleasure to write a Foreword to the book "Baul Songs In Quest Of Universal Humanism' written by Dr. Mausumi Majumdar. The book is a linguistic-socio-cultural contribution to the history of human civilization. The Bäul songs are profusely popular in Bengal and it has an impact on Bengali life. The origin of the word is interesting.

Preface Music, art and poetry are a perfect education for the soul. It makes a man purified, self-controlled, deep and harmonious. Music is an essential means of expressing the divinity of man. The essence of all religions is this divinity of man.

All living beings are perishable, still, man tries to find out in himself the seed of the eternal. The discovery of this eternity in man was made by the Bauls through their songs by discovering the Universal Man in man.

Book's Contents and Sample Pages