Babu

Babukishan, deeply inspired by his parents, and grandfather, knew at an early age, that he too wished to compose music, and perform. Babu began on the soil of Bengal, however, he was clearly destined to belong to the world of music. His journey started in early childhood, his first 7 years of life were spent living with his grandparents Sri Nabani and Brajobala Dasi, learning and experiencing a deeply authentic spiritual Baul way of life. Babu was very blessed at the time because his grandfather being a famous Baul saint presented Babu with many opportunities to meet, and associate with other great Saints of India. After his grandfather’s Samadhi, Babu moved to Kolkata, and spent the next 12 years at the RamaKrishna Mission, (Vedanta Society of India) in a very deep, and tough spiritual study. During the holidays Babu joined his mother Manju Das Baul, and father Purna Das Baul, playing, composing, and singing Baul music at global festivals, universities, on television, and world radio stations. Despite the many world tours, Babu also found the time to study Indian Philosophy, and Folk music at the University of Kolkata where he eventually secured both his BA in Indian Philosophy, and Master degree in Indian Folk Music. Over the years Babu has learned to play some 15 different instruments, including Harmonium, Tabla, Dholok, Mandolin, Ektara, Khamak, Dotara, ect..and has studied with great teachers such as Nabani Das Baul, Purna Das Baul, Pandit Amarnath, Gyanprakash Ghosh, Mahapurush Mishra, Khokon Mukherjee, R.D. Burman. He has learned both the classical, and folk music of India as well as western music, this knowledge has helped him to compose, and collaborate with some of the worlds top western musicians. Babu has made more than 44 albums in different languages worldwide with reputed music labels as, Universal Music, EMI, Polygram Music, CBS, Star Music, Sony, HMV, T-Series, and he has composed, (feature film music/back ground music, private albums, Documentary films.) Babu’s professional career in music began with some of the 20th centuries greatest musician’s. He toured with Bob Dylan’s The Band in their 1985 East and West tour. He has performed and recorded with music industry greats such as George Harrison, Rolling Stones, Beach Boys, Chakka Khan, Ravi Shankar, Zakir Hussain, Tom Petty, Miles Davis, Allan Fakir, Herbie Mann, Third World, Robbie Robertson, Garth Hudson, Ziggy Marley, R.D.Burman, and many others independently. Babu puts this solid foundation in music to good use by composing and performing in all areas of India’s entertainment Bollywood films, and music industry as well as in a variety of venues worldwide. In keeping with his early dreams of developing his own unique style, he turned to the music of the Western world that he had become so familiar with in his early years of performance. His use of original Baul, and Indian rhythms combined with the Reggae produced his own brand of World music, of which Babu’s new age Bengali Folk Fusion is the result. Babukishan has held the title of Composer and Music director in numerous Bollywood films, and Indian televison’s Series in addition to composing and performing in countless CD”s. As a International teacher, his vast experiences coupled with his gentle and supportive patience, quickly brings out the best in his students. He rewards that best by featuring his students in many of his own professional performances. Babu doesn’t just play music ..he oozes music from his soul, and showers his instruments with that essence. Babukishan has been a cultural representative for Baul culture around the world for more than 30 years. Although Babu has achieved much success he knows that his dharma is the preservation, documentation, education as well as continuation of Baul festivals, and the writing of books regarding Baul philosophy, music, and Baul Sadhana to preserve this ancient culture. Babu also has a dream to help the real original Bauls struggling in the villages of Bengal to keep the tradition alive through creating a Baul foundation, and The Bauls of Bengal Cultural Institution & Vedic Acadamy, to help preserve this very ancient Baul lineage. Babu has travelled all over the world and has seen how the world is changing at such a rapid rate, he understands that if the Baul lineage is not preserved its ancient roots will be lost.http://cdbaby.com/cd/babukishanhttp://community.webshot s.com/user/babukishanhttp://thebaulsofbengal.blip.tv/http:// myspace.com/gypsyindia