Paban Das Baul and Sam Mills

The rich and melodic musical tradition of India's Bengali region is given a modern sensibility by Paban Das Baul, a master of the dubki (a small tambourine) and a hypnotic vocalist. Synthesizing Tantric Buddhism, Baishnavism and Sufism, Das Baul has created worldwide attention for his trance-inspiring performances. Born in Mohammedpur, a small village in the West Bengali district of Murshibadad, Das Baul inherited his musical interests from his father, a martial arts champion who turned to singing and wrestling for money after losing his land holdings. Playing the dubki from...